Amity Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir
$24 | Willamette Valley, Oregon | 89 points
Amity’s Myron Redford was a mid-’70s pioneer in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. He has stayed true to the French style, while some Willamette neighbours lean toward a softer, California style. This one is coarse, edgy and loaded with cranberry fruit, oak spice and barnyard notes. Perfect with steak. LCBO 124594
Cave Spring 2009 Pinot Noir
$18 | Niagara Peninsula | 86 points
Ontario’s cool climate and limestone-based soil are similar to Burgundy’s. As a result, this pinot delivers classic high acid and low alcohol, with cran-raspberry fruit. It’s a pale, light prototype with herbs and toasty oak spice. Complex for the money, although sour-edged. LCBO 417642
Kim Crawford 2009 Pinot Noir
$19 | Marlborough, New Zealand | 86 points
New Zealand is emerging as a leader in pinot noirs under $25. While cheaper versions are often confected, this one avoids that pitfall. It’s pale, with perfumy rhubarb-cherry jam fruit, plus evergreen notes. It’s mid-weight, smooth, sweetish and hot on the finish. Chill lightly. Vintages LCBO 626390
Barwick Estates 2010 Pinot Noir
$16 | Pemberton, Western Australia | 88 points
The far-flung, cool-climate corner of southwest Australia is promising for pinot, although it’s barely on the radar. This red is light- to mid-weight, smooth and juicy, with classic pinot cran-cherry fruit, tobacco smoke and underbrush character. Tannins are fine, but there is some heat. LCBO 215194
Cono Sur 2010 Pinot Noir
$11 | Central Valley | 87 points
Chile’s climate is too warm for pinot noir, but Cono Sur has designed a special section for growing it. This one isn’t graceful, but it delivers good pinot character for $11, with vibrant cranberry, cinnamon and green herb flavours, set in a hot, tannic frame. Serve with your Thanksgiving turkey. LCBO 341602
Lenswood Hills 2010 Pinot Noir
$17.50 | Adelaide Hills, South Australia | 88 points
Unlike most of Australia, Adelaide’s hills are cool enough to grow pinot. This energetic, tense and light red blasts classic cran-cherry fruit with floral, cinnamon and pine forest aromas. It’s zesty and a touch green, with gritty, juicy acidity. Best for casual dinners of pizza or grilled chicken. LCBO 215095
Bouchard Aîné & Fils 2009 Bourgogne Pinot Noir $17 | Burgundy, France | 87 points
Most Burgundy pinot noirs under $20 are scrawny and tart. But this warm vintage produced good ripeness and weight with sour cherry fruit, cedary spice and woodsmoke nuances. It’s mid-weight, a touch sweet and juicy, with peppery spice and some new oak tannin and resin. LCBO 665406
Hahn 2008 Pinot Noir
$20 | Monterey County, California | 88 points
Some commercial-scale vineyards in Pacific-cooled Monterey deliver better value than more established California regions like Carneros, the Sonoma Coast and Santa Barbara. This easy-drinking pinot packs complexity and richness with oak, mocha, cran–sour cherry, leather and meaty notes. LCBO 226555
Rosehall Run 2009 Cuvée County Pinot Noir
$22 | Prince Edward County, Ontario | 89 points
This cool, limestone-laced region on Lake Ontario is North America’s newest stage for the pinot noir craze. This light, crisp, floral, cran-cherry–scented example embodies the charm, precision and minerality of County pinot. Available at the winery or online. rosehallrun.com
Scores: David Lawrason assigns scores on a 100-point scale. They reflect a wine’s overall quality.
A rating of 95 to 100 is outstanding; 90 to 94 excellent; 85 to 89 very good; 80 to 84 good.
