A thin skinned grape doesn’t mean Pinot Noirs are weak, it just means they are picky about where they like to be grown!

Pinots can pack a big punch. They’re one of the more popular varietals of today, and the subject of the most recent class. What did the students think of these five pinots? Read on to find out.

PINOT NOIR WINE REVIEWS

Novy 2010 Blanc de Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon
12.1% alcohol
Est. Price: $18.47
Screw Cap
100% Pinot Noir that has been taken off the skins quickly (aka “racked”) so it is basically a white made from red grapes.

Winery says… This wine possesses some of the mid-palate weight and richness of Chardonnay, but with exceptional acidity. The nose is exotic with hints of lemon rind and orange fruit. This is an amazing pairing with sushi, with various seafood dishes, and even with slightly spicy chicken dishes.

FSW students say… “B-”

Acrobat 2010 Pinot Noir
Oregon
13% alcohol
Est. Price:$15.99
Screw Cap

Miss Fox says… Pretty darn good price for a Pinot.

Winery says… This organic wine is bright garnet with a ruby tint. It offers aromas of cherry, cranberry, raspberry and spice. The palate has pomegranite, blueberry and tobacco with a silky mouthfeel.

FSW students say… “B”

Girardin 2008 Santenay La Comme Premier Cru
Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
13.5% alcohol
Est. Price: $26.38
Cork

Winery says… The Girardin family has been producing wines in Santenay for eleven generations and they offer some of Burgundy’s finest wines. They neither fine nor filter these wines, preferring the natural expression of the soil, grape and climate. This wine offers tangy red berries, cranberry, sour cherry, tea and wet forest.

FSW students say… “C+”

Spy Valley 2010 Pinot Noir
Marlborough, New Zealand
14.0% alcohol
Est. Price: $22.99
Screw Cap

Winery says… Red fruits, plum and sweet cherry are underpinned with fragrant notes of spice and dried sage. This is a fruit-forward wine with a long, supple structure, with the licorice and cocoa notes typical of our vineyard site.

Critics say… 92 pts., Wine Spectator

FSW students say… “B-”

Domaine Carneros 2008 Pinot Noir
Carneros, California
14.2% alcohol
Est. Price: $29.99

Winery says… Our classic Pinot Noir, made to show off the superb qualities of our organic vineyard, is rich with fruit tones of black cherry, raspberry and black current overlaid with notes of chocolate, toast, clove and exotic spices. Luscious flavors end in a very long, silky finish.

FSW students say… “B+”