Top Canadian Pinot Noirs

(94 entries, 59 medals)

This huge category was highly anticipated and discussed. Only four gold medals out of 94 entries indicates that great pinot is not routine in Canada, nor anywhere, for that matter. The 27 silvers suggest, however, we are taking the world’s most difficult grape very seriously. Style diversity was a common theme in the judges’ comments, along with issues around high tannins. “There is some rustic winemaking going on, but there are also worldclass pinots emerging, balanced by just the right amount of newer French oak,” said Sid Cross, who claims pinot as his pet project. “The best are not overdone, restrained and fruit driven,” added Rick VanSickle. “Burgundy be damned; we are making some great pinot in Canada,” said Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson.

Pinot Noir CWA Gold Medal Winners

SpierHead 2010 Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $18

Nk’Mip Cellars 2010 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $30

Averill Creek 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve, Vancouver Island, British Columbia $60

Meyer Family Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $40

Pinot Noir CWA Silver Medal Winners

CedarCreek 2010 Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Tawse 2010 Growers Blend Pinot Noir, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $32

Henry of Pelham 2009 Pinot Noir Estate, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $25

Flat Rock Cellars 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir Bin 09014, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $45

Tawse 2010 Cherry Avenue Pinot Noir, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $58

Baillie-Grohman 2010 Pinot Noir, British Columbia $25

Stoney Ridge Estate Winery 2010 Excellence Pinot Noir, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $35

2027 Cellars 2010 Pinot Noir Queenston Road Vineyard, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $35

Rosehall Run 2011 Defiant Pinot Noir, Prince Edward County, Ontario $19

Howling Bluff 2010 Three Sisters Vineyard Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $28

Flat Rock Cellars 2010 Pinot Noir, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $20

Rosehall Run Vineyards 2010 JCR Rosehall Vineyard Pinot Noir, Prince Edward County, Ontario $39

Peninsula Ridge 2010 McNally Vineyards Proprietor’s Reserve Pinot Noir, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada $25

Rosehall Run 2009 Pinot Noir Rosehall Vineyard, Prince Edward County, Ontario $39

Peller Estates Okanagan 2010 Private Reserve Pinot Noir, British Columbia $19

Nk’Mip Cellars 2009 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $30

Tawse 2010 Laidlaw Vineyard Pinot Noir, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $45

Arrowleaf 2010 Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $18

Road 13 2009 Jackpot Pinot Noir Castle Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $40

CedarCreek 2010 Platinum Home Block Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $40

Coyote’s Run Estate Winery 2010 Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $25

Colaneri 2010 Virtuoso Pinot Noir, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $30

Alvar 2010 Pinot Noir, Ontario $15

JoieFarm 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $40

Burrowing Owl 2010 Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $30

Huff Estates 2010 Pinot Noir, Ontario $20

Angels Gate 2010 Mountainview Pinot Noir, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $24

A full list of bronze medals winners can be found here.

Results compiled by David Lawrason. Bottle photos by Jason Dziver.