Smoking Loon

The Original California Pinot Noir

8.5565 ratings
8.03 pro ratings
California, USA
Pinot Noir
Top Notes For
Keith Wylie

This is actually from Valle Central, Chile (not California). I don't usually do Pinot Noir but I picked this up because 1. The label is pretty. 2. I like South American wines. 3. I love the name Smoking Loon. 4. It was $6 at Publix and that's about my wine budget. 5. What the heck I'll give Pinot another shot. The bottle says this medium body but it's fuller (heavier?) than any other Pinot I've had. There is something distinctively South American about it - it has that spicy undertone. I would describe the flavor as currant but I've also never had a currant so take that for what it's worth. Overall I'm very impressed and would buy again.

This is actually from Valle Central, Chile (not California). I don't usually do Pinot Noir but I picked this up because 1. The label is pretty. 2. I like South American wines. 3. I love the name Smoking Loon. 4. It was $6 at Publix and that's about my wine budget. 5. What the heck I'll give Pinot another shot. The bottle says this medium body but it's fuller (heavier?) than any other Pinot I've had. There is something distinctively South American about it - it has that spicy undertone. I would describe the flavor as currant but I've also never had a currant so take that for what it's worth. Overall I'm very impressed and would buy again.

5 people found it helpfulNov 15th, 2015
Johnny Kitson

The best Pinot Noir ever

The best Pinot Noir ever

3 people found it helpfulJun 3rd, 2014
Leslie Faison

2017 Vintage, no lie it tastes/smells like smoke from burning forest fires. I personally like it, very smooth.

2017 Vintage, no lie it tastes/smells like smoke from burning forest fires. I personally like it, very smooth.

1 person found it helpfulApr 20th, 2020
Paula Strebig

2014 - heavier & darker than an Oregon Pinot Noir. Understated fruit on the nose. Red fruit & cherry fruit forward. A little spicy niceness with more oaky finish than expected. Seems like a Cab's little brother with a hint of Malbec . Easy drinking, budget friendly wine. (Shish-kabobs on a spring evening)

2014 - heavier & darker than an Oregon Pinot Noir. Understated fruit on the nose. Red fruit & cherry fruit forward. A little spicy niceness with more oaky finish than expected. Seems like a Cab's little brother with a hint of Malbec . Easy drinking, budget friendly wine. (Shish-kabobs on a spring evening)

1 person found it helpfulApr 11th, 2017
Debra Cortes

Spicy and delicious....

Spicy and delicious....

1 person found it helpfulJul 24th, 2016
Stephanie Ruthberg

Not as fruit forward as I prefer but a good Pinot.

Not as fruit forward as I prefer but a good Pinot.

1 person found it helpfulMar 20th, 2014
Bradley Smith

Tasty and inexpensive!

Tasty and inexpensive!

Nov 11th, 2021
Kalani Niheu

Good dinner wine first time; not as good second day.

Good dinner wine first time; not as good second day.

Feb 20th, 2021
Nick Suydam

Smoky

Smoky

Apr 22nd, 2020
William Templin

$8.99 at Fresh Thyme Market. Dark garnet in color. The bouquet is light and not overpowering. The overall flavor has elements of red and black fruits with very low tannins. The finish is pretty clean. Overall a very easy drinking wine that is not overly boozy. Easy pick for a casual night. Good and enjoyable. Not outstanding, but good. (I would not really impress the wine snob)

$8.99 at Fresh Thyme Market. Dark garnet in color. The bouquet is light and not overpowering. The overall flavor has elements of red and black fruits with very low tannins. The finish is pretty clean. Overall a very easy drinking wine that is not overly boozy. Easy pick for a casual night. Good and enjoyable. Not outstanding, but good. (I would not really impress the wine snob)

Mar 23rd, 2020