There is a classic Pinot Noir earthiness to the nose of this wine but it is the raspberry, cherry, mint and smoked cedar aromas which take center stage and confuse your mind that you'll be drinking a much more expensive Pinot.
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The medium-minus bodied palate offers smooth, light tannins with flavours of red fruits, subtle oak and a touch of spice. Good acidity and mouth feel with a balanced, medium-plus finish. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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If you're a Pinot Noir fanatic who finds too-many New World attempts far too fruity then you'll love this Reserve Pinot from Rollingdale. It's a steal at $20. Where to buy: Direct from the winery and VQA stores.
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$30 and below:
The nose offers complex aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, vanilla and forest funk with loads of allspice and earth notes. Savoury earth and oak characters take a starring role on the bone-dry palate with supple tannins and red fruits supporting. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Recently awarded a 2011 Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence, this light garnet hued Pinot Noir from Oliver's Stoneboat Vineyards offers a gorgeous, seductive nose of sweet cherry-cola candy, vanilla, cedar, light earth and subtle oak spice aromas. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Fans of Stoneboat's excellent middleweight Pinot Noir should consider trying this delicious, elegant and balanced example from Church and State (and vice versa).
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This oak-aged wine (mixture of new and one to four year old French oak) offers layers of fruit and leather on the palate. A long finish with tidy tannins. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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The dry palate packs a tart punch on the entry but evolves into a more refined presentation of silky smooth tannins supporting raspberry, cherry, spice and oak flavours. A light-in-the-mouth weight and fluid texture is followed by a long, tart finish with lingering oak spice. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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The 2008 vintage, although not the blockbuster that the 2007 was, is a solid and delicious Pinot Noir with an excellent balance of red fruit and savoury characters with a touch of fragrant aromatics. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Youthful aromas of coffee, chocolate and orange peel with flavours of cherries and berries on the palate. Smooth tannins pair well with subtle yet present acidity to form a very well balanced wine. Where to buy: Direct fom winery (online only) and select private wines shops.
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$40 and below:
The nose exhibits chocolate, plum, cement, and pepper. The palate is savory with milk chocolate and cherry. The finish was long and spicey. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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Produced by current Township 7 winemaker Bradley Cooper, the "Altostratus", the high-end wine of a duo of Pinots produced by his micro-label side project, can take its place among the top Pinot Noirs of the valley. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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Meyer Family Vineyards 2008 McLean Creek Road Vineyard Pinot Noir - $40
Refined aromas of dark cherry, plum, warm gravel, toasted oak, vanilla and a hint of spice are followed by an intense palate of similar flavours with added raspberry flavours and a smoky texture. The moderate-plus finish is well balanced with medium tannins and acid. Where to buy: Direct fom winery (online only) and select private wines shops.
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$40 and above:
Possibly, the quintesential BC Pinot Noir as it requires no "Burgundy-esk" or "Central Otago-like" descriptor. This Pinot is pure BC... and that's a major compliment. Where to buy: Direct fom winery.
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Hey Kettle Valley is missing-They are always a stand out
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