Five outstanding Pinot Noir wines made the 2024 San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC) final round. Below are brief descriptions of the wines and tasting notes.

Pinot Noir, a revered and challenging grape varietal, is among the world’s most intriguing reds. Its delicate nature, complexity, and low yield have earned it the moniker of the “heartbreak grape.” This grape thrives in cooler climates, where it can best express its unique and nuanced characteristics, making it a fascinating subject for wine enthusiasts.

The varietal is widely planted in its ancestral homeland, France’s Burgundy, as well as Oregon, California, New Zealand, and parts of Germany, where it’s called Spätburgunder. This grape is sensitive to changes in climate, soil, and winemaking techniques, making it both highly regarded and challenging to perfect.

Pinot Noir wines are known for their elegant and complex aromas. Common scents include red fruit notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry, often accompanied by subtle floral fragrances of rose petals or violets. Earthy aromas like dried mushrooms or forest floor are also frequently present, particularly in wines from Burgundy and similar regions.

The wines have a light to medium body and smooth texture. Their flavors often mirror the nose, including red fruit notes of raspberry, cherry, and strawberry. They typically feature low tannins and balanced acidity, which makes them versatile food-pairing wines.

Depending on the region and winemaking style, Pinot Noir can also display subtle spices like cinnamon or clove, earthy undertones, and even a touch of oak when barrel-aged. Sometimes, the wine may show herbal notes of tea leaves, smoke, or leather.

Overall, Pinot Noir wines are known for their complexity, elegance, and ability to convey the influence of their terroir. Their refined flavor profile often highlights red fruit and earthy undertones, paired with a smooth texture and bright acidity.

Rodney Strong Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir

Rodney Strong was the top-rated Pinot Noir wine Rodney Strong was the top-rated Pinot Noir at the 2024 SFIWC. This family-owned winery is located in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, California. Established in 1959 by the renowned winemaker Rodney Strong, the winery is celebrated for producing premium wines from some of the finest vineyards in Sonoma.

Rodney Strong Vineyards was also among the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in the region, building a reputation for crafting high-quality, terroir-driven wines across various varietals.

The winery prioritizes sustainability and innovation, having earned a Certified Sustainable designation. While it is primarily known for its Bordeaux-style blends and Chardonnay, its Pinot Noir, which flourishes in Sonoma’s cooler climate, has become its hallmark.

Rodney Strong was the top-rated Pinot Noir at the 2024 SFIWC. This family-owned winery is located in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, California. Established in 1959 by the renowned winemaker Rodney Strong, the winery is celebrated for producing premium wines from some of the finest vineyards in Sonoma.

Rodney Strong Vineyards was also among the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in the region, building a reputation for crafting high-quality, terroir-driven wines across various varietals.

The winery prioritizes sustainability and innovation, having earned a Certified Sustainable designation. While it first became famous for its Bordeaux-style blends and Chardonnay, its Pinot Noir, which flourishes in Sonoma’s cooler climate, has increasingly become its hallmark.

The wine is smooth and well-balanced on the palate, showcasing bright red fruit flavors of cherry and cranberry and a touch of spice and vanilla. The smooth, silky texture is complemented by a notable but nicely balanced acidity, which gives the wine a refreshing quality. Soft, elegant, well-ripened tannins provide structure, leaving the wine light and accessible.

The finish is long and clean, with lingering notes of cherry and a hint of seasoned oak, balanced by a touch of earthy minerality. The wine’s finesse and freshness make it an excellent expression of Sonoma’s cool-climate Pinot Noir.

This wine is a perfect example of Rodney Strong Vineyards’ ability to craft elegant, fruit-forward wines that reflect the region’s terroir while offering complexity and balance. It’s a delightful Pinot Noir for casual sipping or pairing with various dishes.

The SFIWC Judging Panel described the wine as featuring:

Aromas of bright red cherry, cranberry, and hints of baking spices. It is smooth and elegant on the palate, with a brisk acidity and noticeable but well-ripened tannins, featuring raspberry flavors and hints of seasoned oak. The finish is long and smooth with lingering raspberry notes.

Ten Sisters 2023 Pinot Noir

Ten Sisters is a New Zealand winery in Marlborough. The region is one of New Zealand’s main Pinot Noir-producing areas. The SFIWC Judging Panel described the wine as showcasing:

Red berry aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and a touch of cherry are complemented by subtle floral notes of violets and rose petals with hints of spice and earthiness. It’s smooth and medium-bodied on the palate, showcasing cranberry and red cherry, with a touch of spicy clove and vanilla, a soft, silky texture, and a bright acidity. The finish is long with lingering notes of oak, red berries, and a touch of earthy minerality.

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s cooler climate regions, renowned for its Pinot Noir wines. The SFIWC Judging Panel described the wine as exhibiting:

This wine has intense aromas of dark fruits on the nose and palate, with bright acidity and a solid tannic core. The finish is long, with lingering dark fruit notes.

Furthermore 2022 Single Vineyard Gioia Pinot Noir

The Goia vineyard lies along the Sonoma coast, surrounded by Redwood forest, and opens to the ocean’s cooling and fog-laden winds. This is a classic example of Sonoma’s cool climate Pinot Noir terroir. The SFIWC Judging panel described the wine as exhibiting:

Red fruit aromas on the nose give way to slightly candied red fruit, herbaceous and earthy notes, notable acidity, and a lean, well-structured tannic backbone. The finish is long and balanced, with lingering red fruit notes.

Diora La Petite Grace Pinot Noir 2022

The Diora Pinot Noir comes from Monterrey County. Although the region is subject to the same cooling ocean breezes, it is notably warmer than Sonoma County, often producing more robust Pinot Noir wines.

The SFIWC Judging Panel described the wine as expressing:

Intense aromas of dark cherries and cocoa with a hint of toasted nutmeg. Red berry notes dominate the palate, along with hints of milk chocolate and spices. The finish is long and fruity, with subtle but lingering herbal notes of sage.

The 2024 SFIWC showcased some outstanding Pinot noir wines, some remarkably well-priced, from around the world. While reflecting the varietal’s core, red berry DNA, these wines also reflected profound terroir influences and the adaptability Pinot Noir wines are known for. If you love Pinot Noir wine, there is much to explore among these finalists.

See also top Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz wines from the 2024 San Francisco International Wine Competition.