What a weekend! From February 29-March 2, 2024 hundreds of wine lovers participated in the World of Pinot Noir held at the exclusive Ritz Carlton Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara, California. We tasted, learned, and dined (on repeat) with a fervor only true aficionados are able to do. This was my first World of Pinot Noir and I’m already looking forward to next year. A celebration of this noble grape? Absolutely.
The annual World of Pinot Noir is the epicenter of Pinot Noir wineries, winemakers, chefs, sommeliers and wine experts for one glorious weekend chock full of events from which to choose. From the opening night dinner rife with music, dancing, small bites and plenty of conversation, two Grand Tastings held on separate days, educational seminars in the mornings, winemaker lunches, dinners and special events, there is something for everyone. And if anyone thinks that all Pinot Noir is the same, think again. The superior offerings during the weekend created quite the buzz among attendees.
Fortunately, I was able to attend both Friday and Saturday VIP Grand Tastings. Accessing the tasting an hour before others afforded our group the opportunity to taste in private lounges with special wines, exceptional food pairings and small group conversations with winemakers. At the Grand Tasting itself, guests were able to sip a vast range of high quality Pinot Noir from the United States (predominantly), France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina while engaging in brief (or sometimes longer) chats with the winery owner or winemaker. For auction lovers, a virtual silent auction was held during both days of the tastings – what a perfect way to score your favorite wine while contributing to non-profit institutions and/or scholarships that help further educate and enlighten the world about the iconic Pinot Noir grape.
On Saturday morning, my wine colleagues Evan Goldstein, Master Sommelier, and Julia Coney, Wine Writer/Wine Educator/Speaker/Consultant, moderated the popular seminar, Global Wine Conversations: A World of Pinot Noir. I can’t think of a better way to start the day than with 10 glasses of Pinot Noir on the table in front of me! For 90 minutes, we traveled through diverse Pinot Noir regions around the globe, followed by blind tastings of wines that represented premium AVAs from California to Oregon to Australia and to Burgundy. My nose and palate were once again put to the test and I was reminded (yet again) that there is always more to learn about wine.
Next year, I hope to attend more seminars, lunches and dinners. By all accounts, those I talked to enjoyed other exploratory opportunities including The New “Grand Cru” of California, The Legacy Generational Library Tasting, and Bubbles and Bites. Lunches such as Women of Russian River Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Domaine Della 10th Anniversary and Celebrating 25 Years of Tolosa were considered enlightening as were luscious dinners, Experience the Essence of GoldenEye, Friends of Adam Lee, Honoring 40 Years in the Willamette Valley and The Vintage Burgundy Dinner. Clearly, there was a seminar, lunch or dinner to appeal to a variety of tastes.
Pinot Noir was the wine of the weekend and there was plenty in which to indulge. As you might expect, I had more than a few favorites – these are just a few. And for more, click HERE.
Aequorea 2022 Spanish Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir ($56) is from the San Luis Obispo Coast (SLO Coast) AVA. The cool climate vineyard lies just 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Pismo Beach. Intensely aromatic, flavorful and fresh.
2021 Alma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills, El Jabali ($90) is from the estate vineyard originally planted in 1983 by founder Richard Sanford. Lush red fruit, herbs, bright acidity and velvet-like tannins.
2021 Chalone Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir ($75) reflects Chalone’s terroir of limestone and decomposed granite soils specific to this wild, isolated mountain plateau in Monterey County. Raspberry, mushroom, truffle, vibrant acidiy and gripping tannins.
Cordant 2021 Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir ($70) shows the winery’s diversity in sourcing grapes within a swath from Radian Vineyard in Sta Rita Hills, Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley to the Escolle Vyd in Santa Lucia Highlands. Red fruit, florals, cedar, rich, rustic, broad.
Gogi Wines 2017 “Erinn” ($75) from Sta. Rita Hills Ampelos Vineyard is 100% free run juice from 7 clones of Pinot Noir farmed organic, biodynamic and sustainable in practice. Actor/owner Kurt Russell always does the blend. Vibrant, bright berries, oak, mouthwatering.
2020 Louis Latour Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru “Les Chaillots” ($130) from Cote de Beaune in Burgundy helps define the vineyard that offers stony, pebbly soil. Finesse, power, rich red fruit, herbs, complex.
Merry Edwards 2021 Meredith Estate Pinot Noir ($90) is the flagship of the winery located in the Russian River Valley. Intense florals, toasted nuts, cherries, orange peel, earth, cedar.
Naidu Wines NV Brut Rose Sparkling ($44.99) from Raghni Naidu is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from grapes sourced from the North Coast. Bright, fresh fruit, strawberry, cream, spice, crisp, bubbly.
Ram’s Gate Winery 2020 Pinot Noir, El Diablo Vineyard ($80) from grapes in the Russian River is of two Pinot Noir clones fermented and barrel aged separately, given different treatments and cooperage selections to highlight the personalities. Fresh, fruit forward, herbaceous, broad, vibrant, harmonious.
2019 Resonance Vineyard Pinot Noir ($75) is from Willamette Valley (OR) Yamhill-Carlton AVA… with a French accent. Resonance is Maison Louis Jadot’s first winery project outside of Burgundy, France. Complex, aromatic, black cherries, violets, structured, balanced.
Start planning your visit to World of Pinot Noir during March 1-4, 2025. Click HERE for more information – I’ll see you there!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
