Which Pinot Noir Should I Try?

The Best Pinot Noir to Try in 2023

the best pinot noir to try in 2023 the three drinkers

Light, silky, elegant with bright red fruits and acidic crunch – Pinot Noir is one of the most loved red wines and we’re no different. It loves cool climate so you can find bottles from all across the globe… as you’ll see below.

Whilst a gorgeous Pinot is graceful, elegant, and flavourful but light, they are temperamental and therefore hit and miss. And when they miss, they really miss. The bottles below, however, are certified hits with delicious Pinot from France, America, Spain and more. Each is wonderful in its own way, so have a read and see which gets your tastebuds tantalising!

Dubard Coeur du Mont Pinot Noir 2021 - France

dubard coeur de mont the best pinot noir to try in 2023 the three drinkers

This is a lively and interesting Pinot Noir that is bursting with cherry jam at the fore and flanked by strawberries and apples. The velvety texture is there which is exactly what you want, as well as a peppery alure, a curious minerality, and a touch of menthol on the finish. There’s a touch more acidity than most Pinot so if you lean that way, this is the one for you.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10.49

Odd Lot Pinot Noir 2018 - USA

odd lot 2018 the best pinot noir to try in 2023 the three drinkers

Delight in the sustainably produced Odd Lot Pinot Noir 2013 from the USA, a wine that really embraces conscious practices. Powered by wind turbines and bottled with 100% clean energy, it boasts a unique blend of from the Schied Family Estate's Monterrey plantings. The Pacific air imparts freshness, yielding red cherry and subtle oak smoke aromas, balanced acidity, and a lush palate of red cherry, raspberry, mocha, and toasty oak. This pale ruby Californian gem showcases the Pinot’s red fruits masterfully, and at great value too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10.99

Clos Montblanc Únic Pinot Noir 2019 - Spain

clos montblanc the best pinot noir to try in 2023 the three drinkers

Time for some Catalonian Pinot now from Clos Montblac. Behind that vivid ruby red hue is full, jammy strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry, as well as an earthy minerality and subtle leather note anchoring it. Fruit, florality, sweetness and acidity, there is a lot to love about this wine and especially served with dishes like grilled fish, white meats or mushroom.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £12 (usually more!)

Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir 2020 - Argentina

luigi bosca the best pinot noir to try in 2023 the three drinkers

25-year-old Valle du Uco vines produce perfect Pinot grapes brimming with rich and floral character. This is a particularly voluptuous liquid that really fills the mouth with those intense black fruits and spiced notes, as well as a waft of smoke on the aftertaste. As irresistible as it is now, it would also age very nicely too. A wonderful wine,

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £15.99

Eloisa Limited Collection Pinot Noir 2020 - Chile

eloisa limited collection the best pinot noir to try in 2023 the three drinkers

When you take your first sip of Eloisa, you’ll know what that translates to ‘the chosen one’. Everything about this Loncomilla Valley Pinot is enticing, from the red ruby hue to the spiced black and red fruits, to the toasty French oak. The freshness is excellent, the structure is great, and the finish is persistent and sooth. A charming benchmark Chilean Pinot Noir indeed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £19.95

Adnams Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 – New Zealand

adnams central otago the best pinot noir to try in 2023 the three drinkers

An IWC Brozne International Award-Winning Pinot Next, it’s Adnams’ Central Otago 2019 boasting classic summer fruits of dried strawberries and raspberries alongside a pleasant mineral edge. It’s fleshy and so full of flavour, but also light and easy drinking. The lingering spice on the tongue is the perfect final note on what really is a stellar example of New Zealand Pinot.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £19.99

Davenport Vineyards Diamond Fields Pinot Noir 2021 - UK

davenport vineyards the best pinot noir to try in 2023 the three drinkers

A shout out to some native Pinot to finish, with Davenports’ organic Diamond Fields. Grown on south facing sandy clay soil in Kent, it has a character that stands out from most Pinot Noir. It’s wonderfully soft and smooth, with less acidity than you normally expect, just a slight tartness instead. It opens up really invitingly with those notes of blueberry, cherry and raspberry and a strong tannic backbone which would age nicely, though drinking this year is delicious also.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £21.35

The reputation and quality of English wines increases every day, and leading the charge is our sparklers, so check out the bottles you need to try here!

What is Pinot Noir?

What is pinot noir? thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most popular red wine grapes. It can taste like a red wine but feel like a white. It is light bodied and elegant, with high acidity and very low tannin and this is one of the reasons why it is loved so much. Couple this with its beautiful silky texture and its flavour profile of spiced cherry, raspberry compote and earth, it’s no wonder why it is a fond favourite around the world.

Which Countries Produce Pinot Noir?

Pinot Noir loves a cool climate and you can now find incredible bottles from many places around the globe. France produces a huge amount of it, with the majority coming from Burgundy, and since the 1990s Germany has also been producing some stunning bottles. The USA has some very exciting styles coming out of Oregon and California, and although not as widely known, there are many other countries around the world that produce some very good Pinot too, including the UK, New Zealand, Chile, Romania, Austria and Canada to name a few!

What is the Best Food to Pair with Pinot Noir?

What is the best food pairing for pinot noir? thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Given its higher acidity and its low tannin, Pinot Noir pairs really well with many different dishes. For the fruitier versions, try it with fish, like salmon, or chicken, whereas, bolder Pinot Noirs work really well with pork, duck, beef stews and mushrooms.

Fun Facts about Pinot Noir

  1. Pinot Noir is actually one of the three main grapes used in Champagne, along with Chardonnay and the lesser-known Pinot Meunier!

  2. Pinot Noir is one of just a few red grapes that is commonly made into red, rosé, white and sparkling wine!

Which Pinot Noir Should I Try?

There are so many bottles to choose from it was hard to stick to just these five, but here is a mix ranging from classic Pinot Noir to some lesser-known regions that are certainly worth checking out!

France: Volnay Domaine Cyrot-Buthiau 2017

Best French Pinot Noir Volnay Domaine Cyrot-Buthiau thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

If it’s red and from Burgundy (aka Bourgogne) the chances are it is going to be Pinot Noir. The best ones need a few years of age on them to develop but this one is ok to drink now. Think spicy cherry, lavender and marzipan. It’s delicate, earthy, understated and old school in style.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £35.95

California: Sebastiani

Best Californian Pinot Noir Sebastiani thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

The fog-cooled parts of coastal California give their Pinots softness, while that ripe, sweet, juicy fruit still shines through. They’re all about strawberries and cream on a bed of red velvet. Look for some from Russian River Valleys and Sonoma County like this bottle, Sebastiani.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.8%
Find here: UK £25 //US $14.99

New Zealand: Escarpment

Best New Zealand Pinot Noir Escarpment thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

New Zealand is Pinot’s most famous (arguably) New World home. Here, it’s slightly easier drinking and fruity, yet serious. The concentrated, savoury red fruit and cinnamon notes have won hearts and palates worldwide. Head to Central Otago, Martinborough and Marlborough for great ones.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here:
£22.49

England: Bolney Estate Pinot Noir

Best English Pinot Noir Bolney Estate Pinot Noir thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

English still wine used to be a bit of a joke, but nowadays, we’re finding that many serious producers are looking to the key Champagne grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for their still wines and gaining globally award-winning results. The Bolney Estate Pinot Noir has won multiple awards internationally and this bottle, with its soft, velvety red fruit, hints of earth and coffee beans with a touch of chocolate dipped cherry on the finish is definitely one to try.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £17.99

Romania: Sanziana Pinot Noir Recas Cramele

Best Romanian Pinot Noir Sanziana Pinot Noir Recas Cramele thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Romania has a talent for making excellent, inexpensive, seriously easy-drinking, cherry-bomb wines from Pinot Noir. Don’t expect the complexity of Burgundy, but for under £10 this is brilliant value. Keep an eye out for the other great Pinots popping up all the time.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8.50

If you enjoyed this then why not check out these great Proseccos for under £15! Or, how about checking out these Stunning Rosé Wines?!