Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is the primary red grape of Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon and New Zealand. It is a temperamental thin-skinned grape that is sensitive to light exposure, pruning and soil types, generally low-yielding and highly susceptible to rot and fungal diseases. However, it can produce some of the world’s most sought-after and attractive wines, particularly from Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Depending on its origins, wines produced with Pinot Noir exhibit a range of aromas, textures and flavors, but are commonly light to medium bodied with red berry and earthy characteristics. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Pinot Noir among our extensive Pinot Noir wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Pinot Noir reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Pinot Noir, and will help you find one that best suits your needs. Read on to learn more about Pinot Noir wines listed below, or, if you prefer white wine, check out our Pinot Grigio ratings.

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100

points

Williams Selyem 2007 Litton Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $100

A spectacular Pinot Noir, but a very young one, and extremely dry. It’s a wine of great structure, with rich acids and tannins framing extraordinarily complex flavors of grilled cherries, strawberries and raspberries, with complicating notes of cola, pomegranates, orange zest, anise, dusty Asian spices and smoky sandalwood. A truly great Pinot Noir from a great… — S.H. (2/1/2010)

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Williams Selyem 2009 Precious Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Price $94

A stupendous Pinot Noir, showing how beautifully this vineyard performs in the remote Sonoma Coast above Fort Ross. Williams Selyem’s last few vintages of Precious Mountain have been extraordinary, but this 2009 tops them all. The wine is as light as a feather in the mouth, modest in alcohol and delicately feminine, like pure satin. However, few Pinot Noirs in the… — S.H. (2/1/2012)

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Williams Selyem 2010 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Cellar Selection

Price $75

This expresses the greatness of its vintage and vineyard, offering wave after wave of raspberry and cherry pie flavors, plus notes of red currant, sweet licorice, spicy Dr. Pepper and smoky sandalwood. There’s also something exotically briary and wild that intrigues. Even more remarkable is the texture, an amalgam of acids and tannins that rivals any Pinot Noir… — S.H. (3/1/2013)

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Domaine Comte Georges de Voguë 2000 Le Musigny Pinot Noir (Musigny)

Online Exclusive

Price $300

This is great red Burgundy from the oldest domaine in the village. It is all there: powerful floral aromas, flavors of a coulis of black fruits, ripe tannins and sweet fruit with balancing acidity. The wine manages to combine a deep, almost brooding strength with a dense, silky texture. For a 2000, a lesser year than 1999, this is a great achievement. Keep for at… — R.V. (11/1/2002)

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W.H. Smith 2005 Maritime Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Editors' Choice

Price $52

The first thoughts on this wine are how young it is, and how much potential it shows. The immaturity lies in the primary fruit, acidic character, like a big gulp of fruity cola. But the wine’s awesome future is in its vast complexity and balance, and the way it dominates the palate and lasts and lasts. A blend of several vineyards, it’s high in acidity, with… — S.H. (5/1/2007)

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Louis Jadot 2005 Pinot Noir (Clos de la Roche)

Cellar Selection

Price $138

This is a powerhouse of a wine. It is driven forward by immense tannins as well as by superrich fruit that still keeps itself in check by a velvet texture. There is spice, acidity, some toast and vanilla, and finally a sunburst of warmth. — R.V. (8/1/2008)

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Louis Jadot 2005 Pinot Noir (Charmes-Chambertin)

Price $134

A complete wine. As it starts in the mouth, there is a feeling of everything in its place. The tannins are initially soft, dusty rather than dry; then the dark plums, red berries and so-sweet strawberries come into play. And finally, they all come together in a climax of richness and freshness. — R.V. (8/1/2008)

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Domaine des Lambrays 2005 Pinot Noir (Clos de Lambrays)

Cellar Selection

A beautiful, pure wine that combines freshness and intense richness. It seems to float while still giving a huge mouthful of plums, coffee and sweet, juicy tannins. A straight line of pure flavor all the way to the finish. — R.V. (8/1/2008)

Most Reviewed Sub Varietals

Pinot Nero Pinot Noir Blanc Spätburgunder

Most Reviewed Regions

Argentina Australia Austria Chile France Germany Italy New Zealand Romania South Africa Spain US

Most Reviewed Wineries

Albert Bichot Bouchard Pere & Fils Calera Chanson Père et Fils Erath Joseph Drouhin Louis Jadot Rex Hill Siduri Testarossa Torii Mor Williams Selyem

2010 Bogle Old Vine

What a delicious Zin this is. Sourced from the warm climates of Lodi and…

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