Decanting Digest - A pair of Pinot noirs

Photos by Steph Wallcraft

Remember the movie Sideways? Released in 2004, this film simultaneously glorified bachelor culture and kicked off a California Pinot noir craze. We’ll refrain from comment on the former, but the latter had a lasting impact on the success of Pinots from California’s biggest wine producing regions, which have retained their popularity for many years since. 

Over time, though, that popularity has brought another side effect: these wines can be rather expensive, sometimes prohibitively so.

It’s not necessary to spend a fortune to get a delicious, fruit-forward Pinot noir. For examples that are just a touch lighter than the typical California style but often much more approachable on price, look to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This region stretches from Portland to Eugene along I-5 and is tucked in among three mountain ranges while being home to more than 500 wineries, many of which are producing stellar Pinot noirs year after year.

Here’s a pair of excellent examples, both available in the Vintages section of the LCBO.

Cloudline 2019 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Vintages #159970
$26.95

Bright ruby in colour and leading with maraschino cherry and ripe red fruits on the nose, this medium-bodied and silky Pinot features traditional red and black cherry flavours up front with a crisp, mineral finish. This would pair beautifully with roast chicken or quail stuffed with nutty grains.
Score: 8.5/10.

La Crema 2018 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Vintages #385757
$44.95

Slightly darker in colour, fuller in body, and a touch more on the dry side, this Pinot still qualifies as medium-bodied but carries more weight with plenty of black fruit on the nose. The flavour is a complex melange of sweet and sour cherries along with raspberry and that characteristic metallic finish. Its well-structured and lasting acidity would cut the richness of mushroom risotto or grilled pork beautifully.
Score: 8/10.

Steph is a successful, established freelance writer and has been a wine aficionado for more than two decades. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.
Decanting Digest appears every other Wednesday.
Send your wine questions to info@modernmississauga.com with Decanting Digest in the subject line.