What Kind of Wine Is Smoking Loon Pinot Noir?
In my review, I am compelled to describe this wine as fun and trendy. The intention of the winemakers is clear. They wanted to produce an inexpensive, drinkable Pinot Noir that will not overly impress but offer good value for the price. It can be enjoyed solo or teamed with many different types of food from snacks to stews or barbeques.
It is unpretentious as wines go, but the intriguing story on the label is what entices many wine drinkers. The branding is distinctive and interesting. Who wouldn’t want to present a bottle of wine to guests that sports a picture of a loon bird having a smoke?
Smoking Loon The Original Pinot Noir Review
- Winery — Smoking Loon
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Pinot Noir
- Aroma — Smoke, Earth, Mushrooms
- Grapes — Pinot Noir
- Taste — Cherry, Mushroom, Raspberry, Vanilla
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Duck, Pork, Salmon, Mushrooms
I feel confident that you will enjoy this Smoking Loon if you take it with a pinch of salt (not literally!) as the makers intended. It is a red wine to be enjoyed in relaxed, unpretentious company, and the Smoking Loon Pinot Noir calories will not alarm even the most health-conscious of guests. It will probably suit younger palettes and have respect for its hip and innovative style. The incredible demand and success of this Pinot Noir speak for itself, so you should just serve this delightful Pinot Noir and relax.
Tasting Notes
You can expect some aspects of a traditional Pinot Noir, however, they are not enduring enough to make it a collectible wine. In the Smoking Loon Pinot Noir wine you will definitely be able to distinguish the aromas and flavors of vanilla, and dark berries. In the background, you may detect a smokiness and some herbal aspects. However, the Smoking Loon Pinot Noir price is very fair and the flavorsome, complex wine you get is worth every cent. At 13.8%, Smoking Loon Pinot Noir alcohol content is not to be trifled with, but bear in mind that you are getting a substantial wine for the price.
Appearance
Smoking Loon Pinot Noir has the typical light garnet color that is expected with this type of wine. It is translucent and reflects the light in your glass.
Aroma
Smoking Loon Pinot Noir brings the full fruity fragrances of ripe, summer berries. I am talking about fresh raspberries, juicy strawberries, and tangy cranberries that will be a delightful aroma on the nose of this bright, fruit-driven Pinot Noir. You may also detect a hint of cinnamon and other spices in the background. These slip away into the slight acidic smell of baking powder, courtesy of the tannins.
Taste
If you like your red wine to have deep earthy flavors and a hit of spice, then Smoking Loon Pinot Noir could be just up your street. These subtle tastes ride on the back of the rich blackberry, raspberry, and cranberry top notes. Some drinkers find this pinot noir a little musky and muddled, but overall it gets a thumbs up from less exacting drinkers. My opinion comes with the caveat that if you enjoy high-end, expensive pinot noirs regularly, this is probably not the one for you.
Finish
Smoking Loon finishes on a smooth, spicy note and leaves you with the haunting fruity palette that is refreshing and “moreish”. This is a moderately light-bodied wine, and the soft tannins and light acidity strike a perfect balance. This is a very easy drinking wine!
Rating
The Smoking Loon Pinot Noir is an enjoyable and affordable red wine albeit a little one-dimensional. However, when buying a bottle of Smoking Loon you are assured of a combination of taste and good value. The bouquet of ripe berries, earthy mushrooms, and campfire smokiness is enhanced by the moderate tannins and has produced a medium-bodied red for everyday drinking.
Smoking Loon Pinot Noir Food Pairing
This lively, trendy wine is versatile when it comes to food pairing. Due to its high acidity and tannins, it pairs particularly well with fatty meats such as duck, pork, and recipes that include garlic and mushrooms. It can even stand its ground when served with salmon or other oily fish. Or you can be a complete loon and pair it with just yourself and a lovely sunset!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Smoking Loon Pinot Noir?
The winemakers of Smoking Loon, Don Sebastiani & Sons, are quite upfront about the philosophy behind the making of this wine. These fourth-generation vintners simply wanted to make the original Smoking Loon Pinot Noir into good wine that “doesn’t need to take itself so seriously”. It is a consciously flippant attitude to enjoying the fruit of the vine. The label tells the story of the origin of the brand and encourages everyone to “indulge their inner loon”.
How Is Smoking Loon Pinot Noir Made?
This Pinot Noir could include up to nine different types of grapes. After harvest, the whole grape bunches are placed in the crusher and then the fermenter tanks. This is the typical method for making Pinot Noir wine. The stems add the essential ingredient – tannin. That creates the essential acidic, astringent front flavor to a Pinot red. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels to deepen the flavors before being bottles.
Where Is Smoking Loon Pinot Noir Made?
Their winemaking journey starts with selecting premium grapes from the top wine-growing regions of the world. This Pinot Noir is mainly produced from grapes sourced in California and Chile. The Smoking Loon winery is in the Napa Valley, California. Using the carefully sourced grapes from the Chilean wine regions of South America, they are assured that the grapes have benefited from the ideal soil and climate of Valle Central. Unlike most other winemakers, Smoking Loon winery does not have a specific “terroir”, but they produce good quality wines at affordable prices, by sourcing grapes from around the globe.
How to Serve Smoking Loon Pinot Noir?
This Pinot Noir is best served at room temperature or slightly chilled (about 55 degrees F). It is designed to be ready for serving straight from the bottle and does not need decanting. If you are going to be enjoying Smoking Loon for years to come, it could be worth investing in a set of large, round bell-shaped glasses. They are perfect for gathering together the delicate aromas and setting the wine up to give you the most pleasure. Stemmed glasses are useful if you enjoy swirling the glass and checking out the legs.
How Much Does Smoking Loon Pinot Noir Cost?
This Pinot Noir is very reasonably priced in the range of $8 to $12 per 750 ml bottle.
How Long Does Smoking Loon Pinot Noir Last?
This particular Pinot Noir is designed to be an everyday wine. It is unashamedly a bit flippant and unpretentious. As such, it is not recommended for long-term storage. If it is stored in a cool, dark place with the cork intact, it could rest for up to five years. But remember, this is not a typical Pinot Noir and does not offer you the promises or guarantees of a Pinot Noir with a hefty price tag. I would recommend that you keep a ready supply for every occasion.
How Many Calories Does Smoking Loon Pinot Noir Have?
Smoking Loon Pinot Noir has all the known health benefits of red wine and very few of the negatives. When consumed responsibly, it should not impact too badly on the health-conscious. It has 4g of carbs per 125 ml serving and 125 calories.
Conclusion
I feel confident that you will enjoy this Smoking Loon if you take it with a pinch of salt (not literally!) as the makers intended. It is a red wine to be enjoyed in relaxed, unpretentious company, and the Smoking Loon Pinot Noir calories will not alarm even the most health-conscious of guests. It will probably suit younger palettes and have respect for its hip and innovative style. The incredible demand and success of this Pinot Noir speak for itself, so you should just serve this delightful Pinot Noir and relax.
