Top Ten Pinot Noirs of 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

2023 Domaine Henry Pellé Menetou-Salon Rouge Morogues, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is 100% Pinot Noir from the Loire Valley in France.  It is more "elegant" in style.  Pale ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, rhubarb, and slight cranberries.  Clean.  Light, wispy tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, the flavors match the nose with cherries, rhubarb and slight cranberries.  Good finish.  This wine needs food to show its best.  It has some complexity but is made in a lighter style.  This would be a nice match with Roasted Turkey or a Mushroom Risotto.  Drink over the next five years.  

2024 Maybach Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Roseira Irmgard Vineyard

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a Rosé made from 100% Pinot Noir.  Pale salmon orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with strawberries, light cherries and slight cranberries.  Medium bodied.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, this is tasty with good energy.  Flavors of strawberries and cherries.  Easy to drink.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own and will work well with many foods.  A nice choice with Grilled Salmon but also a "Cold Pasta" dish.  Drink over the next few years.  

2019 Bouchard Père et Fils Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$122.00USD

Beautiful wine.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is complex and deep.  Flavors of cherries, plums, slight black raspberries along with some earthiness and just a hint of forest floor.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Flavors of sweet cherries, black cherries, slight cocoa and earthiness.  Long finish.  This feels like it is not yet at peak and should drink well for another ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, it should work well with most Pinot friendly foods such as Roasted Duck or Mushrooms/Truffles.  Long finish.  

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