Thirty Bench is not the first place you think of for Pinot in Niagara – and there are a number of reasons for that … one being they only have 2.5 acres of the grape planted (since 2000) and just started making it as a stand along wine in 2005; plus there are some great Pinot producers in Ontario and Thirty Bench’s focus has always been Riesling. But Thirty Bench opened my eyes with their version of Pinot Noir in this vintage: the main reason is that it’s finally starting to taste like Pinot Noir should. Aromas hit high notes with black cherry, smoke, fresh cranberry and hints of vanilla. Flavours are all Pinot: fresh red berries including cranberry and sour cherry with a nice spicy seam which run right down the middle of the palate. Great acid / tannin mix and a finish full of spiced-cranberry. Quite possibly the best Pinot Noir to come out of Thirty Bench to date. Price: $35.00 – Rating: ****