I’m going to launch right into confession time here. You see, when I was putting together last week’s column, we were many, many days into a rare Vancouver heat wave. Portable fans were spinning across the city, many of us knocked off work a little early, and more than a few of us had a couple nights of rotten sleep.
So, as I put together a reactionary column full of cheap and cheerful cool wines for hot days, I even thought to myself, “I’m probably jinxing things by doing this column.”
Sure enough, as issues of WE Vancouver were being distributed around the city last week – full of wines to enjoy in the hot summer sun – the cool air flushed in and the rains started coming down hard for days. The SkyTrain broke down a couple times too, but I’m pretty confident I had nothing to do with that.
So I’m going to play it safe this week. We’re gonna tackle a quartet of pinot noirs; light reds that are perfect for all types of weather and any day of the week. These are a touch more spendy than my usual recommendations, but they absolutely deliver on value and will suit your dinner table well. Chill ‘em down a touch, grab the biggest glasses you’ve got, then swirl, sniff and sip to your heart’s content.
Louis Latour 2012 Pinot Noir | Burgundy, France | $27.99 | BC Liquor Stores
The aromas coming out of your glass are similar to a basket of cherries warming in the sun, perhaps a touch more perfumed. On the palate, some definite Swedish Berries (yup, the candy), raspberry herbal tea, red plum and a little thyme. Lofty, bright and charming all at once.
Opawa 2012 Pinot Noir | Marlborough, New Zealand | $30-35 | Private Wine Stores
Sweet plums and vanilla are the first elements wafting upwards, followed by a spot of blackberry jam on toast. A few sips in, we’re looking at waves of black currant and black tea, all of it crystal-clean, lively, and fresh.
Nautilus 2011 Pinot Noir | Marlborough, New Zealand | $45-ish | Private Wine Stores
Compared to the Opawa up above, we have a little more of a smoky campfire thing going on the nose, followed by a dizzying array of cinnamon, huckleberry, salmon berry, black licorice, anise, and a little gingerbread carrying out the end. The fruit in this one is from five different estate vineyards, and the complexity that results by pulling from different sites shows.
Tinhorn Creek 2010 “Oldfield’s Series” Pinot Noir | Okanagan Valley, BC | $29.99 | Winery Direct
If you’re having a big steak or some similar carnivorous fare, this local hero is more than ready to step up to the challenge. A chewy mound of blackberries, dark chocolate and roasted almonds is lightly dusted with some classic South Okanagan sage for a nice little lift. Pinot Noir for tough guys. Order it via Tinhorn.com or find it in local stores for a couple bucks more.
As always, if you’re having trouble finding something or just want to say hi, find me via KurtisKolt.com
