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Pinot Noir is a sought-after grape across the world. From California to Burgundy, it draws demand. Wine growers across the world are now growing quality Pinot Noir to capitalize on the demand for this popular international variety. Chile in no exception and has planted the variety up and down the country to much success, finding well suited, cool climate sites along the Andes Mountain range.
Much of Chilean Pinot Noir is grown in the north, where it is warmer. You can find it in the Casablanca Valley as well as the Leyda Valley, but there are pockets of vineyards dedicated to Pinot Noir throughout the country in other regions.
The wines lead with red fruit flavors, such as raspberries and cherries, but the wines are well suited to oak aging, which can lead to cinnamon, nutmeg and other baking spice notes. It is not uncommon to also find flavors of stone, tobacco and green tomato notes.
Pinot Noirs are a great summer wine as they tend to be lighter in body and alcohol, with many benefiting from a light chill on a hot day.
Here are seven that we recommend:
Casas del Bosque 2019 Reserva Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley); $18, 88 Points. Peppery plum and tomato aromas include a touch of green herbs, while this Pinot is lightly concentrated, fresh and racy in feel. Raspberry, pie cherry and thyme flavors are peppery as a whole, while this finishes with mild bitterness. Best Buy. —Michael Schachner
Concha y Toro 2019 Marques de Casa Concha Coastal Vineyard Pinot Noir (Limarí Valley); $20, 88 Points. Piquant red-fruit aromas of cranberry, currant and raspberry include a note of iodine and a hint of dried meat. This is a lively style of Pinot that’s medium in weight. Spicy oak notes accent plum and raspberry flavors in front of a finish propelled by healthy acidity. —Michael Schachner
Cono Sur 2018 Ocio Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley); $42, 90 Points. It opens in the glass with aromas of strawberry, cherry and clove, with a light note of struck match. The palate offers firm tannins and generous red-fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry with subtle oak and spice, all held together with good acidity. The wine is very enjoyable and has a lingering finish. —Jesica Vargas
Montes 2020 Alpha Pinot Noir (Aconcagua Costa); $20, 90 Points. Ripe cherry, nutmeg, and a light note of salt arise from the glass. Silky tannins frame the flavorful palate. Cherry, plum, and cinnamon flavors (with a light note of espresso) are backed by just enough acidity to freshen the medium finish. —Jesica Vargas
Ventisquero 2018 Herú Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley); $35, 91 Points. This elegant wine has delicate cocoa powder, black pepper and red-fruit aromas with a dash of espresso and a subtle oaky note. The palate presents firm tannins and nice juicy acidity. It’s flavorful with cherry and raspberry blended with coffee bean and spice. It has a lingering fresh finish. —Jesica Vargas
Viña Casablanca 2019 Nimbus Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley); $25, 88 Points. Plum and blueberry aromas present as ripe and ready. The palate on this warm-year Pinot Noir is fresh and fairly tight. Plum, currant and peppery flavors stick to a fairly narrow path, while this tastes lightly medicinal on a steady finish. —Michael Schachner
Viña Marty 2020 Goutte D’Argent Pinot Noir (Leyda Valley); $20, 90 Points. This wine shows bright strawberry, and raspberry aromas on the aromatic nose. Good acidity provides freshness to the juicy palate. It offers red-fruit flavors and a touch of spices. It’s not a complex Pinot Noir but it’s a very enjoyable wine. —Jesica Vargas
Last Updated: July 12, 2023
