Pinot Noir is one of my favourite red grapes. It in general has a lighter touch and is very elegant, typically with red fruits and floral components. I am grateful to receive two wines from Moraine Estate Winery, their Pinot Noir 2020 and Rosé 2021. Both wines are fresh and bright, and I think will be a great way to get you looking forward to Spring. In Vancouver, of course Spring comes sooner. I’ve seen at least one picture on social media showing a crocus blooming here. For the colder areas in Canada, Spring will be a bit later, but you can always enjoy these wines sooner.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Moraine Estate Winery Pink Mountain 2021 (BC $27)
A blend of 73% Pinot Noir and 27% Grenache Noir.
Appearance: A very pretty, bright, medium intensity coloured pale wild strawberry colour.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity nose showing lots of fresh strawberries and rhubarb, and with some air you also get spearmint. There are no change in aromas with decanting.
Palate: This wine leans slightly more than off-dry, with a round, thicker mouthfeel and light acidity. Fresh strawberry and rhubarb flavours, then add zesty lime and a touch of guava toward the finish. Add spearmint and tropical fruit with air. The flavours become more pronounced with decanting, plus the wine tastes drier. You get the same bright flavours.
Finish: A medium length finishing off-dry with strawberry, rhubarb and guava on the palate, almost nil tannins. Some pepperiness in addition with decanting.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity nose showing lots of fresh strawberries and rhubarb, and with some air you also get spearmint. There are no change in aromas with decanting.
Palate: This wine leans slightly more than off-dry, with a round, thicker mouthfeel and light acidity. Fresh strawberry and rhubarb flavours, then add zesty lime and a touch of guava toward the finish. Add spearmint and tropical fruit with air. The flavours become more pronounced with decanting, plus the wine tastes drier. You get the same bright flavours.
Finish: A medium length finishing off-dry with strawberry, rhubarb and guava on the palate, almost nil tannins. Some pepperiness in addition with decanting.
Rating: 
A fun Rosé wine to sip. A very pretty pale strawberry colour. Medium-plus intensity nose with bright and fresh aromas of wild strawberries and rhubarb, plus spearmint with air. Off-dry with a thicker round mouthfeel and lighter acidic prickle on your tongue. Strawberries and rhubarb to start then add zesty lime and guava. Spearmint with some swirling. A medium-length finishing off-dry with strawberry, rhubarb and guava flavours. Very light tannins. Some light pepperiness with decanting.
A fun Rosé wine to sip. A very pretty pale strawberry colour. Medium-plus intensity nose with bright and fresh aromas of wild strawberries and rhubarb, plus spearmint with air. Off-dry with a thicker round mouthfeel and lighter acidic prickle on your tongue. Strawberries and rhubarb to start then add zesty lime and guava. Spearmint with some swirling. A medium-length finishing off-dry with strawberry, rhubarb and guava flavours. Very light tannins. Some light pepperiness with decanting.
Moraine Winery Naramata Bench Pinot Noir 2020 (BC $30)
According to the winery they used, “clone 777 Pinot Noir that has been cultivated and cared for with “white gloves.” Hand harvesting and fermenting whole-berry, with the cap being punched down by hand, has ensured gentle tannin extraction and maximum flavour.”
Appearance: Deeper, translucent to the core garnet colour. About 80% opaque.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity nose with a delightful mix of cinnamon, raspberries, red cherries and a touch of oak. Deeper aromas with decanting; cassis and black raspberries. A hint of floral and vanilla, along with the cinnamon.
Palate: This wine is dry, soft and silky. Quite fruity with red cherries, raspberries, floral, and red liquorice flavours, plus a touch of oak. Fine, lighter intensity tannins. Less candied cherries and more dark fruit flavours with decanting. The wine is still dry, silky and round. And you still get the sweet spices and floral flavours.
Finish: Medium length finishing dry with light fine tannins and a touch of sweetness. Flavours of candied cherries, sweet spices, red liquorice and a touch of pepperiness. A drier finish with decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, soft and silky. Quite fruity with red cherries, raspberries, floral, and red liquorice flavours, plus a touch of oak. Fine, lighter intensity tannins. Less candied cherries and more dark fruit flavours with decanting. The wine is still dry, silky and round. And you still get the sweet spices and floral flavours.
Finish: Medium length finishing dry with light fine tannins and a touch of sweetness. Flavours of candied cherries, sweet spices, red liquorice and a touch of pepperiness. A drier finish with decanting.
Rating: 
A deeper clear garnet colour. A lighter intensity nose with cinnamon, raspberries, red cherries and a hint of oak. If you decant you will get deeper aromas, cassis, plus hints of floral and vanilla. This wine is soft and silky, medium-bodied with medium-plus flavours of red fruits, raspberries, red and candied red cherries, red liquorice, floral and a touch of oak. Sweet spices toward the finish. Medium intensity drying tannins and medium acidity. Decanting will move the flavours more to darker fruit and less candied cherries.
A deeper clear garnet colour. A lighter intensity nose with cinnamon, raspberries, red cherries and a hint of oak. If you decant you will get deeper aromas, cassis, plus hints of floral and vanilla. This wine is soft and silky, medium-bodied with medium-plus flavours of red fruits, raspberries, red and candied red cherries, red liquorice, floral and a touch of oak. Sweet spices toward the finish. Medium intensity drying tannins and medium acidity. Decanting will move the flavours more to darker fruit and less candied cherries. Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines through the Moraine Estate Winery website. The Estate Pinot Noir is available at Marquis Wine Cellars. The Save On Foods Ironwood branch, and maybe other Save On branches, sell the Pinot Noir.
