Pinot Noir

  • Pinot Noir Retrospection

    Pinot Noir Retrospection

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    Simon Judge

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    By accident rather than design, I found myself tasting and reviewing several Pinot Noirs over a short period. It started innocently enough, with a few bottles obtained after they had caught my attention at spring press tastings. Then I went looking for wines that had won awards in 2025 and it turned out many of…

  • Edna Valley Pinot Noir

    Edna Valley Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2022 comes from California’s Central Coast, where the cooling influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean allows for a long, gentle ripening season. This slower process brings depth and elegance to the wine. At 14% ABV, it has a touch more weight than many other Pinots. This is a medium-bodied red with…

  • Marsolay Pinot Noir

    Marsolay Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This Pinot Noir is from the Languedoc region in southern France, IGP Pays d’Oc, and made by Producteurs Réunis. It’s from an area known for its long, hot growing season, which tends to encourage a riper expression of Pinot Noir. I tried it as part of my awards25 tasting series, as it was a finalist…

  • Clocktower Pinot Noir

    Clocktower Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2023 vintage comes from the Taylor River area of the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand. It’s a single vineyard wine, who M&S say is made by local winemaker Matthew Large, which suggests a Wither Hills connection. However, the Clocktower reference is a mystery. The wine has been matured in French oak, bringing added…

  • Co-op Irresistible 30° Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir

    Co-op Irresistible 30° Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    I tasted this Pinot Noir as part of my awards25 series and it’s already made a strong impression, with a Gold at the IWC and a Bronze at the IWSC. It also previously won a Silver in the Pinot Noir Masters. The name 30° refers to its Chilean roots, highlighting the 30 degrees south latitude…

  • Taste the Difference Bio Bio Chilean Pinot Noir

    Taste the Difference Bio Bio Chilean Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This was a real star from Sainsbury’s Spring Summer 2025 press tasting and I knew I had to revisit it properly on its own. Sourced from the Bio Bio Valley in Chile, this wine is made by Diego Covarrubias of Viña Indómita, a respected name in Chilean winemaking and a producer often praised by critic…

  • North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2023

    North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2023

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    Simon Judge

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    I first discovered this wine last year and it quickly became one of my top picks. It stood out not just in character, but as one of my outstanding wines by value. I had the chance to try the new 2023 vintage at the Asda Summer 2025 showcase, and while it still shone, I wanted…

  • Mayu Gran Reserva Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

    Mayu Gran Reserva Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    I was impressed by this wine at a Majestic press tasting in Autumn 2024. I bought a bottle not long after but it’s taken me some time to get round to opening it. It’s from the Elqui Valley in Chile, where Mayu has been producing wine since 2005. The Mayu name comes from an ancient…

  • Definition by Majestic Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

    Definition by Majestic Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Majestic Wine has expanded its Definition range with a new wine made exclusively for them by the well-known Californian producer, Schug Winery. This Pinot Noir comes from Sonoma’s cool-climate region, an area greatly influenced by marine fog and the winds of the Petaluma Gap, lending a unique character to the wine. The winery’s founder, Walter…

  • Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir

    Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Coming from the coastal San Antonio region in Chile, Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir is made using traditional Burgundy vinification methods. This wine is aged in a mix of foudres and partially new oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to its character. This 2021 vintage has earned considerable acclaim, receiving 93 points from Tim…

  • Cap Maritime Pinot Noir

    Cap Maritime Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Tesco has introduced another noteworthy addition to its wine range as part of its, previously mentioned, continued focus on premium offerings. Cap Maritime Pinot Noir, imported by New Generation Wines, is also available through select independent wine merchants. This South African wine comes from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in the Cape South Coast region. The…

  • North Canterbury Pinot Noir

    North Canterbury Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This Pinot Noir from North Canterbury, New Zealand, was my top pick of a recent Asda press tasting, where over 100 wines were sampled and where many others agreed it was a highlight. Its quality has been recognised with a Bronze Medal at both the IWSC 2024 and IWC 2023. I had to take a…

  • Two Pinot Noir

    Two Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    On the eve of Pinot Noir Day, we had two bottles of Pinot Noir waiting to be tasted, perfect timing for a mini tasting session. Three of us gathered, each with expectations of a light wine experience, especially given the wine variety. We decided to put them to the test not just by themselves but…

  • California Dreaming Wine Tasting

    California Dreaming Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    I attended the “California Dreaming” consumer wine tasting event at Majestic in August 2024, hosted by the knowledgeable Andrew from Majestic Woking. Nine of us sampled a selection of wines that highlighted the diverse range of grape varieties available from California, going beyond the typical expectations. We started with a Champagne welcome drink, as Majestic…

  • Understanding Pinot Noir

    Understanding Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Pinot Noir is a captivating red wine that transcends its reputation as merely a lighter red option. The name ‘Pinot Noir’ derives from the French words for ‘pine’ and ‘black’, referring to the grape’s tightly clustered, pine cone-shaped bunches and dark skin. This noble grape variety thrives primarily in cooler climates, with its spiritual home…

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