Ah Pinot Noir, one of the most difficult grapes to grow and one of the easiest wines to drink! It’s grown in almost every wine region in the world, resulting in very different styles - from the austere and lean examples from cold climates to the almost jammy wines from hotter climes. It’s terrific to see we have winners from both northern and southern hemispheres: from its original home in Burgundy to Chile’s northern valleys, taking in the south of France and BC too! Linda Garson

Best In Class

LIGHTNING ROCK 2022 ELYSIA VINEYARD PINOT NOIR

Summerland, British Columbia

$38-42

Judges Selection

O 2023 Reserve Pinot Noir

Casablanca Valley, Chile

$17-20 CSPC 122535

Tramier et Fils 2022 Pinot Noir South of France

$21-25 CSPC 802426

Undurraga Sibaris 2023 Pinot Noir Gran Reserva

Leyda Valley, Chile

$20-24 CSPC 761205

Louis Jadot 2022 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Burgundy, France

$39-43 CSPC 341875

SYRAH/SHIRAZ

This was a fun lineup to find out – after the fact - of what we tried. Several products are wines that are well established in our market, with a couple of great surprises. And it’s always validating to recognize that those products deserve to be in that position after all. I was both pleasantly surprised to discover that one of my favourite BC producers’ submission tops the list as my #1 choice. BC syrah has long been easy for me to recommend to people. Tara Smith

Best In Class

CLOS DU SOLEIL 2022 WINEMAKERS SERIES SYRAH

Similkameen, British Columbia

$40-44 CSPC 21697

Judges Selection

Hillside Winery 2022 Heritage Syrah Naramata Bench, British Columbia

$36-38 CSPC 330712

Wirra Wirra 2022 Catapult Shiraz McLaren Vale, Australia

$26-28 CSPC 963116