Five exceptional Pinot Noir wines reached the final round of the 2024 San Francisco International Wine Competition. Below is a short description of the wines and their flavors.

Pinot Noir is a delicate and complex grape, often called the “heartbreak grape” because it is difficult to grow. It thrives in cool climates, where it develops unique flavors and aromas that make it a favorite among wine lovers.

Originally from Burgundy, France, Pinot Noir is also widely grown in Oregon, California, New Zealand, and parts of Germany, where it is known as Spätburgunder. The grape is highly sensitive to climate, soil, and winemaking techniques, making it both challenging and highly valued.

Pinot Noir wines are known for their elegant and layered aromas. They often have scents of red fruits like cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry, along with floral notes such as rose petals or violets. Some wines, especially from Burgundy, also have earthy aromas like dried mushrooms or forest floor.

These wines are usually light to medium-bodied with a smooth texture. Their flavors match their aromas, featuring red fruits and sometimes hints of spice like cinnamon or clove. They have low tannins and balanced acidity, making them easy to pair with food. Depending on how they are made, Pinot Noir wines can also have earthy, herbal, or smoky notes, and some may develop a touch of oak if aged in barrels.

Overall, Pinot Noir is loved for its elegance, complexity, and ability to reflect the region where it is grown. Its smooth texture, bright acidity, and mix of red fruit and earthy flavors make it a fascinating wine to explore.

Rodney Strong Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir

Rodney Strong Vineyards had the highest-rated Pinot Noir at the 2024 San Francisco International Wine Competition. This family-owned winery is in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California. It was founded in 1959 by winemaker Rodney Strong and is known for producing top-quality wines from some of Sonoma’s best vineyards.

Rodney Strong Vineyards was one of the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in the region, helping build its reputation for high-quality wines.

The winery focuses on sustainability and innovation and has been certified as a sustainable producer. While it is best known for its Bordeaux-style blends and Chardonnay, its Pinot Noir has become a standout, thriving in Sonoma’s cool climate.

Rodney Strong’s Pinot Noir was the highest-rated at the 2024 San Francisco International Wine Competition. This family-owned winery is in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California. Founded in 1959 by winemaker Rodney Strong, it is known for making high-quality wines from some of the best vineyards in Sonoma.

Rodney Strong Vineyards was one of the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in the region and has built a strong reputation for producing excellent wines with a focus on terroir.

The winery is committed to sustainability and innovation, earning a Certified Sustainable designation. While it first gained fame for Bordeaux-style blends and Chardonnay, its Pinot Noir has become a standout, thriving in Sonoma’s cool climate.

This Pinot Noir is smooth and well-balanced, with bright red fruit flavors like cherry and cranberry, along with hints of spice and vanilla. It has a silky texture, refreshing acidity, and soft, ripe tannins that make it light and easy to enjoy.

The finish is long and clean, with lingering cherry flavors, a touch of oak, and a hint of earthy minerality. The wine’s freshness and elegance showcase the best of Sonoma’s cool-climate Pinot Noir.

This wine highlights Rodney Strong Vineyards’ ability to create refined, fruit-forward wines that reflect the region’s unique characteristics while maintaining complexity and balance. It is perfect for casual sipping or pairing with various dishes.

The SFIWC Judging Panel described the wine as featuring:

This wine has aromas of bright red cherry, cranberry, and a hint of baking spices. It is smooth and elegant, with fresh acidity and well-ripened tannins. Raspberry flavors blend with a touch of seasoned oak, leading to a long, smooth finish with lingering raspberry notes.

Ten Sisters 2023 Pinot Noir

Ten Sisters is a winery in Marlborough, New Zealand, a key region for Pinot Noir. The SFIWC Judging Panel described this wine as having:

Aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and cherry, with floral hints of violets and rose petals, along with a touch of spice and earthiness. It is smooth and medium-bodied, featuring flavors of cranberry and red cherry with subtle clove and vanilla. The texture is silky, with bright acidity. The finish is long, with lingering red berry, oak, and earthy notes.

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

The Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s cooler wine regions, is well known for its Pinot Noir. The SFIWC Judging Panel described this wine as having:

Rich aromas of dark fruits, both on the nose and palate, with bright acidity and firm tannins. The finish is long, leaving lingering notes of dark fruit.

Furthermore 2022 Single Vineyard Gioia Pinot Noir

The Gioia Vineyard is located along the Sonoma Coast, surrounded by redwood forests and influenced by cool ocean winds and fog. This wine is a classic example of Sonoma’s cool-climate Pinot Noir. The SFIWC Judging Panel described it as featuring:

Aromas of red fruit that lead to slightly candied red berries, along with herbal and earthy notes. It has noticeable acidity and a structured tannic backbone. The finish is long and balanced, with lingering red fruit flavors.

Diora La Petite Grace Pinot Noir 2022

Diora Pinot Noir comes from Monterey County. While the region gets cool ocean breezes like Sonoma, it is warmer, often leading to fuller-bodied Pinot Noir wines.

The SFIWC Judging Panel described this wine as having:

Strong aromas of dark cherries and cocoa, with a hint of toasted nutmeg. The palate is filled with red berry flavors, along with notes of milk chocolate and spices. The finish is long and fruity, with lingering hints of sage.

The 2024 SFIWC featured excellent Pinot Noir wines from around the world, many at great prices. These wines stayed true to Pinot Noir’s signature red berry flavors while also showcasing unique regional influences. If you enjoy Pinot Noir, these finalists offer plenty to explore.

Published: 15th February 2025

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