Pinot Noir can be difficult, fickle and elusive at times. But those drawbacks make the quest for quality even more satisfying, reports Patricia Stefanowicz MW.
FOR MANY of us in the wine industry and numerous consumers too, Pinot Noir is our darling. Like the little girl in the nursery rhyme: “When it is good, it is very, very good...”, it can also be a challenge. The variety is notoriously difficult to grow and vinify, but there are brilliant examples made around the globe. So, for our
Global Pinot Noir Masters 2025, the judges were anticipating some delectable wines. Sparkling Pinot Noirs can be exciting and gastronomic, whether blanc de noirs or rosé, and Nicolas Feuillatte’s Palmes d’Or Rosé Intense 2008 earned a well-deserved Gold medal.
The still red wines were variable, perhaps due to vintage and climatic issues or winemaking techniques. Some displayed a lack of fruit or underripeness or were marred by bitterness, not a trait normally associated with Pinot Noir. A few were correct but unexciting.
The best wines showed vibrant cherry and raspberry fruit, good freshness and svelte tannins. Most benefitted from well-judged oak. Under £10, good wines came from Cramele Recaș in Romania and ouchard Aîné et Fils in Beaune. At £10–£15, Gérard Bertrand in Languedoc-Roussillon was a stand-out Gold. The £15–£20 price bracket was more consistent, with Gold medals for Éminence de Bijou in the Languedoc and Doña Paula in the Uco Valley. The lion’s share of Silver medals went to cool-to-cold climates, including Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and parts of California and Oregon.
Good value was found in the £20–£30 price bracket, with Golds for Weingut Leth’s Pinot Noir Reserve from Niederösterreich, Gérard Bertrand’s Domaine de l’Aigle, and Spy Valley’s Envoy Johnson Vineyard Pinot from Marlborough. Silver medals abounded at this price point, too, from a wide range of terroirs: Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Austria and England.
Given the costly nature of Pinot Noir, it is not a surprise that the sweet spot was the £30–£50 price bracket. Golds were awarded to Cloudy Bay (Marlborough), Lowestoft (Tasmania), and Hartford Court and Kendall-Jackson (California), with plenty of Silvers offering lovely wines at an (almost) affordable price-point.
Above £50, expectations are high, and the judges found excellent Gold winners from Hartford Court and Marimar Estate in Sonoma County. Our only Master winner, and thus the Grand Master of this Pinot Noir judging day, was another Cloudy Bay wine, Te Wahi 2021 from Central Otago. Well worth the expense to taste (and drink). Pinot Noir is difficult and recalcitrant, and it does not behave the same way every year, even in the same vineyard. But, for us Pinot obsessives, finding exceptional Pinot is a quest. When we find one, we want to savour it and treasure the memories.
Sparkling White 100% Pinot Noir (Blanc de Noirs)
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| £10-£15 |
| U Més U |
1+1=3 Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs |
Penedès |
Spain |
2021 |
Silver |
| £20-£30 |
| Quaquarini Francesco |
OP Metodo Classico DOCG Classese |
Lombardy |
Italy |
2017 |
Silver |
| £30-£50 |
| Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte |
Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs |
Champagne |
France |
2015 |
Silver |
Sparkling Rosé 100% Pinot Noir
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| £10-£15 |
| U Més U |
1+1=3 Pinot Noir Rosé |
Penedès |
Spain |
NV |
Bronze |
| U Més U |
Cygnus Ardea |
Penedès |
Spain |
NV |
Bronze |
| £100+ |
| Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte |
Millésime en Palmes d'Or Rosé Intense |
Champagne |
France |
2008 |
Gold |
Unoaked Still Rosé 100% Pinot Noir
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| Under £10 |
| Bouchard Aîné & Fils |
Héritage du Conseiller Rosé |
Bourgogne |
France |
2024 |
Bronze |
| Bouchard Aîné & Fils |
Réserve du Conseiller Rosé |
Bourgogne |
France |
2024 |
Bronze |
| £10-£15 |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines |
Estate Pinot Noir Rosé |
McLaren Vale |
Australia |
2024 |
Bronze |
Unoaked Red 100% Pinot Noir
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| Under £10 |
| Cramele Recas |
Sorcova Pinot Noir |
Timis |
Romania |
2023 |
Silver |
| Cramele Recas |
Sanziana Pinot Noir |
Timis |
Romania |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Cramele Recas |
Blueprint Pinot Noir Waitrose |
Timis |
Romania |
2024 |
Bronze |
| Schmitt Söhne |
Ninja Kicks Pinot Noir RHH QbA |
Rheinhessen |
Germany |
2021 |
Bronze |
| £10-£15 |
| Schmitt Söhne |
TS Estate Pinot Noir Mosel QbA Dry |
Mosel |
Germany |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Cramele Recas |
The Legends Pinot Noir Reserve |
Banat |
Romania |
2023 |
Bronze |
| £15-£20 |
| Domaine Jean-Rene Germanier |
Pinot Noir Balavaud Grand Cru AOC Valais |
Valais |
Switzerland |
2023 |
Silver |
| Dr. Weiand: Weingarten |
Biom |
Baden |
Germany |
2019 |
Silver |
Oaked Red 100% Pinot Noir
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| Under £10 |
| Bouchard Aîné & Fils |
Héritage du Conseiller |
Bourgogne |
France |
2024 |
Silver |
| Bouchard Aîné & Fils |
Réserve du Conseiller |
Bourgogne |
France |
2024 |
Bronze |
| £10-£15 |
| Gérard Bertrand |
Heritage Pinot |
Languedoo |
France |
2023 |
Gold |
| Labouré-Roi |
Bourgogne Pinot Noir |
Bourgogne |
France |
2023 |
Silver |
| Viña Morandé |
Vitis Única Pinot Noir |
Valparaíso |
Chile |
2023 |
Silver |
| Brancott Estate |
Letter Series T Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines |
Estate Pinot Noir |
Limestone Coast |
Australia |
2024 |
Silver |
| Cavit |
Bottega Vinai Pinot Nero Trentino DOC |
Trentino |
Italy |
2023 |
Silver |
| Brancott Estate |
Brancott Estate Reserve Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
| Tasmanian Vintners |
Strelley Farm Pinot Noir |
Tasmania |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Stoneleigh |
Latitude Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2021 |
Silver |
| Siegel Family Wines |
Gran Reserva Pinot Noir |
San Antonio |
Chile |
2024 |
Bronze |
| Marisco Vineyards |
Emma Marris Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Napa Cellars |
Pinot Noir |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Stoneleigh |
Rapaura Series Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Antonin Rodet |
Bourgogne Pinot Noir |
Bourgogne |
France |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Bouchard Aîné & Fils |
Côte de Beaune-Villages Pavillon Bouchard |
Bourgogne |
France |
2023 |
Bronze |
| £15-£20 |
| Bijou |
Éminence de Bijou Pinot Noir |
Languedoc |
France |
2023 |
Gold |
| Doña Paula |
Single Vineyard |
Uco Valley |
Argentina |
2024 |
Gold |
| Santolin Wines |
Family Reserve Pinot Noir |
Yea Valley & Yarra Valley |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Cantina di La Vis |
Pinot Nero Trentino DOC I Classici |
Trentino Alto Adige |
Italy |
2023 |
Silver |
| Domaine Jean-René Germanier |
Fusio Pinot Noir AOC VS |
Valais |
Switzerland |
2022 |
Silver |
| Joel Gott |
Oregon Pinot Noir |
Oregon |
USA |
2022 |
Silver |
| Hafner Family Estate |
Pinot Noir Kosher/Organic |
Burgenland |
Austria |
2023 |
Silver |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines |
Taylor Made Pinot Noir |
Adelaide Hills |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Spy Valley |
Spy Valley Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
| Spy Valley |
F Block Spy Valley Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2019 |
Silver |
| SeaGlass |
Pinot Noir |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Silver |
| Kendall-Jackson |
Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir |
California |
USA |
2023 |
Silver |
| Cavit |
Brusafer Pinot Nero Trentino Superiore DOC |
Trentino |
Italy |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Marisco Vineyards |
The Kings Series Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Cambria Estate Winery |
Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir |
Santa Barbara |
USA |
2022 |
Bronze |
| £20-£30 |
| Spy Valley |
Envoy Johnson Vineyard Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2021 |
Gold |
| Leth |
Pinot Noir Reserve |
Niederösterreich |
Austria |
2022 |
Gold |
| Gérard Bertrand |
Domaine de l'Aigle Pinot |
Languedoc |
France |
2023 |
Gold |
| Sandridge Barton |
Pinot Noir |
Kent |
UK |
2022 |
Silver |
| Krispel |
Pinot Noir |
Steiermark |
Austria |
2019 |
Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines |
Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir |
Yarra Valley |
Australia |
2024 |
Silver |
| Spy Valley |
Envoy Outpost Vineyard Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2017 |
Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines |
PHI Pinot Noir |
Yarra Valley |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| McArthur Ridge |
Southern Tor |
Central Otago |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
| Viña Cono Sur |
Single Vineyard Pinot Noir |
San Antonio |
Chile |
2023 |
Silver |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines |
Jaraman Pinot Noir |
Adelaide Hills |
Australia |
2024 |
Bronze |
| Domaine Sylvain Bzikot |
Bourgogne Côte d'Or Rouge |
Burgundy |
France |
2021 |
Bronze |
| Viña Morandé |
Black Series Pinot Noir |
Araucanía |
Chile |
2022 |
Bronze |
| De Bortoli Wines |
Riorret Lusatia Park Pinot Noir |
Yarra Valley |
Australia |
2021 |
Bronze |
| £30-£50 |
| Cloudy Bay |
Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2022 |
Gold |
| Gran Moraine |
Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir |
Willamette Valley |
USA |
2021 |
Gold |
| Viña Cono Sur |
Ocio |
San Antonio |
Chile |
2022 |
Gold |
| Hartford Court |
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir |
Sonoma County |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
| Kendall-Jackson |
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir |
Mendocino County |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
| Lowestoft Estate |
Estate Pinot Noir |
Tasmania |
Australia |
2023 |
Gold |
| Lowestoft Estate |
SV Woodlands |
Tasmania |
Australia |
2021 |
Gold |
| Balfour Winery |
Luke's Pinot Noir |
Kent |
UK |
2023 |
Silver |
| Balfour Winery |
Signature Pinot Noir |
Kent |
UK |
2022 |
Silver |
| Giant Steps |
Yarra Valley Pinot Noir |
Victoria |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Domaine Nico |
La Savante |
Mendoza |
Argentina |
2023 |
Silver |
| Domaine Nico |
Grand Père |
Mendoza |
Argentina |
2023 |
Silver |
Oaked Red 100% Pinot Noir (continued)
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| £30-£50 (continued) |
| Viña Cono Sur |
20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir |
San Antonio |
Chile |
2022 |
Silver |
| Marimar Estate |
Mas Cavalls |
Sonoma County |
USA |
2019 |
Silver |
| Edmond de Rothschild Heritage |
Akarua Pinot Noir |
Central Otago |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
| Concha y Toro |
Amelia Pinot Noir |
Limarí Valley |
Chile |
2023 |
Silver |
| Kendall-Jackson |
Jackson Estate Outland Ride Pinot Noir |
Mendocino County |
USA |
2022 |
Silver |
| Alpha Estate |
Ecosystem Pinot Noir Single Block "Strofi" |
Florina |
Greece |
2023 |
Silver |
| Marisco Vineyards |
The Craft Series The Journey Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2022 |
Silver |
| Palliser Estate |
Pinot Noir |
Martinborough |
New Zealand |
2022 |
Silver |
| 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery |
Island Pinot Noir Classic |
Vancouver Island |
Canada |
2023 |
Silver |
| Deer Park Wines |
Pinot Noir |
West |
UK |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Landauer Gisperg |
Pinot Noir Pfaffstätten Ried Schönkirchen |
Niederösterreich |
Austria |
2021 |
Bronze |
| £50-£70 |
| Hartford Court |
Seascape Vineyard Pinot Noir |
Sonoma County |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
| Marimar Estate |
Cristina |
Russian River Valley |
USA |
2019 |
Gold |
| Hartford Court |
Fog Dance Pinot Noir |
Sonoma County |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
| Palliser Estate |
Hua Nui Pinot Noir |
Martinborough |
New Zealand |
2022 |
Gold |
| Babylonstoren |
In die Wolke Pinot Noir |
Simonsberg-Paarl |
South Africa |
2019 |
Silver |
| Domaine Jean-René Germanier |
Clos de la Couta Pinot Noir |
Valais |
Switzerland |
2022 |
Silver |
| Bodega Puerta del Abra |
Insólito Pinot Noir |
Indicación Geográfica Balcarce |
Argentina |
2022 |
Silver |
| Ossa |
Pinot Noir |
Tasmania |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Edmond de Rothschild Heritage |
Akarua The Siren |
Central Otago |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
| Conte Vistarino |
Pinot Nero dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC |
Lombardy |
Italy |
2021 |
Silver |
| Lowestoft Estate |
La Maison Pinot Noir |
Tasmania |
Australia |
2023 |
Bronze |
| £70-£100 |
| Cloudy Bat |
Te Wahi |
Central Otago |
New Zealand |
2021 |
Grand Master |
Oaked Red Pinot Noir Blend
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| Under £10 |
| Ménage à Trois |
Luscious Pinot Noir |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Bronze |
| De Bortoli Wines |
Re-Write The Rules Pinot Noir |
Victoria |
Australia |
2024 |
Bronze |
| £10-£15 |
| Church Road |
McDonald Series Pinot Noir |
Hawke's Bay |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines |
La Boheme Interlude Pinot Noir |
Yarra Valley |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Marisco Vineyards |
Leefield Station Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
| Spy Valley |
Satellite by Spy Valley Pinot Noir |
Marlborough |
New Zealand |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Three Thieves |
Pinot Noir |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Bronze |
| £15-£20 |
| Church Road |
Grand Reserve Pinot Noir |
Hawke's Bay |
New Zealand |
2023 |
Silver |
About the competition
With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Pinot Noir Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2025 competition was judged on 5 March at The Portman in London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Pinot Noir Master. This report features medal winners only. Please visit the
Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions, with a chance to appear in print and online, call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
