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.

Cuvaison 2021 Méthode Champenoise Brut Rose

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This 2021 Brut Rose marks Cuvaison’s ninth vintage of producing a sparkling wine. Comprised of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, there is a lovely delicateness to this wine, a softness that is alluring. You will find notes of strawberry, raspberry, light lemon chiffon, white peach, violet petals, rose water, a hint of black cherry, and lime peel. There is a compelling minerality running through this along with a moderate acidity to make this structurally competent. The fruit is evident, the bubbles inviting and this makes for a great food companion

2024 Isabelle Garrault Sancerre Rosé Les Grands Monts, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir from 30+ year old vines in the Loire Valley in France.  12.5% abv.  This is a delightful and refreshing wine.  Pale salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries, oranges and slight pine.  Medium bodied.  Nice, slightly creamy texture.  On the palate, flavors of apples and strawberries.  Clean finish.  This is nice on its own and will work with most foods.  It would be nice with soft cheeses and crackers on the patio.  Drink over the next year or two.  

2009 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A

Jamie Kutch tends to make very elegant Pinot Noir's.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, cherry cough drops, slight sour cherries and slighter cola.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Nicely balanced.  On the palate, this seems fully mature.  Some depth and complexity.  Good finish.  This is drinking very well and seems about at peak.  It  should be at this level for at least another five years.  It is very nice on its own and will work well with the right foods.  This would be a nice pairing with grilled Salmon.  

2018 Bruno Giacosa Spumante Extra Brut, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is a sparkling wine made in the traditional method from 100% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) grapes.  Light golden in color, clear and bright with a nice mousse of many tiny bubbles.  The nose is concentrated (and lovely) with almonds, Vernor's Soda and slight Brioche.  Medium to full bodied.  Well balanced.  On the palate, this is quite tasty.  Dry.  Good acidity.  Flavors of ginger with some almond.  Good finish.  Overall, this is a lovely sparkling wine that is nice on its own but better with food.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

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