Pinot Noir, the heartbreak grape, is known for its delicate nature and susceptibility to vintage variation. Its thin skin makes it particularly vulnerable to the whims of weather, resulting in dramatic differences in quality from one year to the next. So, the question on every Pinot Noir lover’s lips: Was 2017 a good year for Pinot Noir? The answer, as with most things in wine, is nuanced and depends heavily on the region. Let’s explore the 2017 Pinot Noir vintage across key growing areas to unravel the story.
The 2017 Vintage in Burgundy: A Story of Frost and Resilience
Burgundy, the spiritual home of Pinot Noir, faced significant challenges in 2017. A severe frost in late April decimated vineyards across the region, significantly reducing yields. This frost event was one of the most devastating in recent memory, impacting many of the Côte d’Or’s prestigious appellations.
Impact of the Frost
The frost damage was incredibly localized. Some vineyards escaped relatively unscathed, while others suffered near-total losses. This resulted in a wide range of quality within the 2017 vintage. The frost affected primarily the lower lying areas and slopes, resulting in significant crop losses.
The Growing Season After the Frost
Following the frost, the growing season was generally warm and dry. This allowed the surviving vines to ripen their fruit effectively. The warm weather helped to compensate for the lower yields, leading to concentrated flavors in some cases. The reduced crop also encouraged careful vineyard management to maximize the quality of the remaining grapes.
The Resulting Wines
The 2017 Burgundies are characterized by their elegance and freshness. While some wines may lack the concentration of warmer years, they offer a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir’s delicate character. The best examples display bright red fruit, earthy undertones, and fine tannins. Some critics note that the lighter-bodied wines are approachable and enjoyable in their youth, while the more structured examples will benefit from cellaring. The vintage favored meticulous winemaking, with producers focusing on gentle extraction and careful oak aging to preserve the fruit’s vibrancy.
California Pinot Noir in 2017: A Tale of Two Coasts
California, with its diverse terroir, presents a more complex picture for the 2017 Pinot Noir vintage. The northern part of the state experienced a challenging fire season, while other regions saw more favorable conditions.
Northern California and the Wildfires
The devastating wildfires that swept through Northern California in October 2017 cast a shadow over the vintage. Smoke taint became a major concern, potentially affecting the flavor profiles of grapes exposed to the smoke. Some wineries made the difficult decision to forgo production altogether, while others implemented strict sorting protocols to minimize the impact of smoke taint. Smoke taint is a serious issue that can impart undesirable ashy or medicinal flavors to the wine.
Coastal Regions: A More Positive Outlook
Coastal regions like Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Carneros generally fared better in 2017. These areas benefited from the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean, which helped to moderate temperatures and preserve acidity in the grapes. The growing season was relatively consistent, leading to balanced and flavorful Pinot Noir.
The Style of 2017 California Pinot Noir
The 2017 California Pinot Noirs are generally characterized by their bright fruit, supple tannins, and moderate alcohol levels. The wines from the coastal regions often exhibit vibrant red cherry and raspberry notes, along with subtle spice and earthy undertones. Many producers crafted elegant and balanced wines that are approachable in their youth. Despite the challenges posed by the wildfires, the 2017 vintage showcases the diversity and resilience of California Pinot Noir.
Oregon Pinot Noir in 2017: A Benchmark Vintage
Oregon’s Willamette Valley enjoyed an exceptional growing season in 2017, resulting in a vintage that is widely regarded as one of the best in recent memory.
Ideal Growing Conditions
The 2017 vintage in Oregon was characterized by a warm and dry summer, followed by a cool and extended autumn. This allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, developing complex flavors and aromas. The cool nights helped to preserve acidity, resulting in wines with excellent balance and structure.
Characteristics of the Wines
Oregon Pinot Noir from 2017 is known for its intense fruit concentration, silky tannins, and vibrant acidity. The wines display a wide range of flavors, including red and black cherry, raspberry, and spice, along with earthy and floral notes. The best examples possess impressive depth and complexity, with the potential to age gracefully for many years. Winemakers in Oregon emphasized minimal intervention, allowing the quality of the fruit to shine through.
Why 2017 Stands Out in Oregon
The 2017 vintage in Oregon is considered a benchmark year due to the combination of favorable weather conditions and careful winemaking. The wines are generally well-balanced, complex, and age-worthy, making them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. The vintage showcases the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley and the dedication of Oregon winemakers to producing world-class Pinot Noir. The wines are often described as having both power and elegance.
New Zealand Pinot Noir in 2017: Regional Variations
New Zealand, with its diverse Pinot Noir regions, experienced varied conditions in 2017, leading to distinct regional styles.
Central Otago: A Year of Warmth
Central Otago, known for its intensely flavored Pinot Noir, enjoyed a warm and dry growing season in 2017. This resulted in wines with rich fruit concentration, ripe tannins, and a full-bodied style. The wines from Central Otago often display notes of dark cherry, plum, and spice, along with earthy and savory undertones.
Marlborough: Elegance and Freshness
Marlborough, New Zealand’s largest wine region, experienced a more moderate growing season in 2017. This led to wines with bright acidity, elegant fruit flavors, and a lighter body. Marlborough Pinot Noir often exhibits notes of red cherry, raspberry, and floral aromas.
The Overall Style of New Zealand Pinot Noir in 2017
The 2017 vintage in New Zealand showcases the diversity of the country’s Pinot Noir regions. While Central Otago produced bold and concentrated wines, Marlborough focused on elegance and freshness. Other regions, such as Martinborough and Waipara Valley, offered their own unique expressions of Pinot Noir in 2017. The vintage highlights the importance of regionality in New Zealand wine.
Overall Assessment of 2017 Pinot Noir
The 2017 Pinot Noir vintage is a mixed bag, with significant regional variations in quality and style. While Burgundy faced challenges due to frost, Oregon enjoyed an exceptional growing season. California experienced a tale of two coasts, with the northern part of the state affected by wildfires and the coastal regions producing balanced and flavorful wines. New Zealand showcased the diversity of its Pinot Noir regions, with Central Otago delivering rich and concentrated wines and Marlborough focusing on elegance and freshness.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a 2017 Pinot Noir
When selecting a 2017 Pinot Noir, it is important to consider the region of origin and the reputation of the producer. Look for wines from regions that experienced favorable growing conditions, such as Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Pay attention to reviews and ratings from reputable wine critics, as they can provide valuable insights into the quality of specific wines. Consider your personal preferences for style and flavor profile when making your selection.
The Legacy of the 2017 Vintage
The 2017 Pinot Noir vintage serves as a reminder of the importance of vintage variation and the impact of weather on wine quality. It also highlights the resilience of winemakers in the face of adversity and their ability to adapt to changing conditions. Despite the challenges posed by frost and wildfires, the 2017 vintage produced some exceptional wines that showcase the unique character of Pinot Noir in different regions around the world.
Where to Find Reliable Information
Finding reliable information is key when it comes to understanding a vintage. Many wine critics publish their vintage reports that offers a good understanding of the year.
Ultimately, whether 2017 was a “good” year for Pinot Noir depends on your individual preferences and the specific wine in question. There are certainly some outstanding examples to be found, particularly from regions like Oregon, while other areas may require more careful selection. The best approach is to do your research, read reviews, and taste a few different wines to find the ones that best suit your palate.
| Region | Overall Assessment | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Burgundy | Challenged by frost, but elegant and fresh wines | Bright red fruit, earthy undertones, fine tannins |
| California | Mixed results due to wildfires, coastal regions fared better | Bright fruit, supple tannins, moderate alcohol |
| Oregon | Exceptional vintage, widely regarded as one of the best | Intense fruit concentration, silky tannins, vibrant acidity |
| New Zealand | Regional variations, Central Otago: warm, Marlborough: elegant | Central Otago: dark cherry, plum, spice; Marlborough: red cherry, raspberry |
Was 2017 generally considered a good year for Pinot Noir globally?
The 2017 vintage for Pinot Noir was quite variable globally, with some regions experiencing exceptional conditions while others faced challenges. Overall, it wasn’t a universally acclaimed vintage. In some areas, like parts of California, the growing season was marked by heat spikes and wildfires, which impacted grape quality and yields. Oregon, on the other hand, generally experienced more favorable conditions, leading to high-quality Pinot Noir.
European regions also saw diverse results. Burgundy, France, faced some spring frost and hail, but the summer was warm and dry, resulting in wines with good concentration and structure, though perhaps not as classically elegant as some other years. New Zealand enjoyed a fairly successful vintage, although regional variations still existed. So, while there were pockets of excellence, it wouldn’t be accurate to describe 2017 as a consistently outstanding year for Pinot Noir across the board.
What were the specific challenges Pinot Noir vineyards faced in 2017?
Several challenges presented themselves to Pinot Noir vineyards during the 2017 growing season. Perhaps the most impactful were weather-related events. Spring frosts affected bud break in some regions, reducing potential yields. Heat waves in the summer, particularly in California, stressed the vines and accelerated ripening, potentially leading to wines with less complexity and higher alcohol levels.
Additionally, wildfires posed a significant threat in certain areas, particularly in California’s wine country. Smoke taint became a serious concern, impacting the flavor profiles of the grapes and ultimately the resulting wines. This required careful selection and in some cases, the abandonment of entire harvests to avoid producing compromised wines. Disease pressure, always a concern in viticulture, also varied by region, further complicating the challenges faced by winemakers.
Which Pinot Noir producing regions excelled in 2017?
Oregon, in the United States, is often cited as a region that performed well with Pinot Noir in 2017. The Willamette Valley, in particular, benefitted from a relatively consistent growing season without the extreme heat or wildfire issues that plagued California. This resulted in wines that displayed good fruit expression, balanced acidity, and overall elegance.
Certain pockets in Burgundy, France, also produced excellent Pinot Noir wines in 2017. Despite some challenges with frost and hail, the warm summer allowed for good ripening, resulting in concentrated and structured wines. While perhaps not as classically styled as wines from cooler vintages, the 2017 Burgundies offer a compelling profile and are considered worth seeking out by many collectors and enthusiasts.
How did the 2017 vintage impact the style and characteristics of Pinot Noir wines?
The 2017 vintage influenced the style of Pinot Noir wines depending largely on the regional weather patterns. In areas affected by heat spikes, the wines often displayed riper fruit flavors, such as blackberry and plum, rather than the more typical cherry or red fruit notes. Higher alcohol levels were also common, which could sometimes mask the wine’s underlying acidity and complexity.
In regions with more moderate temperatures, like Oregon, the Pinot Noir wines generally exhibited a more balanced profile. They retained their characteristic acidity and showcased a wider range of aromas and flavors, including red fruit, earthy notes, and subtle spice. Winemakers in these areas were able to craft wines with greater finesse and elegance, highlighting the inherent qualities of the Pinot Noir grape.
What should consumers look for when purchasing 2017 Pinot Noir?
When considering purchasing 2017 Pinot Noir, consumers should pay close attention to the wine’s origin. Researching the specific growing conditions in the region and understanding the winemaker’s approach can provide valuable insights into the potential quality of the wine. Look for wines from regions that avoided extreme heat or wildfires, as these are more likely to offer a balanced and representative expression of Pinot Noir.
Reading reviews from reputable wine critics and publications is also helpful. These reviews often provide detailed tasting notes and assessments of the wine’s structure, complexity, and overall quality. Consider the producer’s reputation and winemaking philosophy. Producers with a commitment to sustainable practices and careful fruit selection are more likely to have navigated the challenges of the 2017 vintage successfully. Tasting the wine before purchase, if possible, is always the best approach.
Are 2017 Pinot Noir wines generally considered age-worthy?
The age-worthiness of 2017 Pinot Noir wines is variable and depends significantly on the specific wine and its origin. Wines from regions that experienced more challenging conditions, such as heat spikes or wildfires, may be best enjoyed in their youth. These wines might lack the structure and acidity necessary to age gracefully over the long term.
However, Pinot Noir wines from regions with more favorable growing conditions and produced by skilled winemakers can certainly age well. Wines with good acidity, balanced tannins, and complex fruit flavors often benefit from cellaring for several years, allowing them to develop greater depth and complexity. Researching the specific wine and producer is essential to determine its potential for aging.
How did winemakers adapt their practices to the challenges of the 2017 vintage?
Winemakers employed various strategies to mitigate the challenges posed by the 2017 vintage. In areas affected by heat spikes, some winemakers chose to harvest their grapes earlier than usual to preserve acidity and prevent overripe flavors. They might also have adjusted their fermentation techniques to manage extraction and avoid excessive tannins.
In regions impacted by wildfires, winemakers had to be particularly diligent in assessing the potential for smoke taint. They often used micro-fermentations to evaluate the impact of smoke on the grapes before committing to a full-scale harvest. Some implemented techniques such as reverse osmosis or fining to try and reduce the presence of smoke taint compounds, although these methods can also impact the wine’s overall flavor and texture.