Top 10 best Pinot Noirs in the world in 2026

Felton Road's Block 5 is the most accomplished Pinot Noir in this ranking: a single plot in Bannockburn, in New Zealand's Central Otago, under certified biodynamic farming. Vinified partly as whole bunches, with native yeasts, it is aged on the lees in French oak barrels. The nose mixes black cherry, ripe raspberry, violet and sweet pepper. It holds first place for its precision: depth, and a freshness that carries the finish. Expect €112.00 a bottle, to drink within 5 to 10 years.

Occidental's Freestone is the coastal Pinot Noir in this ranking: it comes from the ridges of the Sonoma Coast, in California, where Steve Kistler blends three vineyards, Bodega Headlands, Occidental Station and Bodega Ridge. Harvested at night, it spends 14 months in old barrels and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Red cherry, redcurrant, pomegranate, lavender and white pepper: the profile is fresher than the usual image of California. Second for its staying power, announced at 15 years and more, at €110.00 a bottle.

Chappaz's Grain Pinot Charrat is the mountain Pinot Noir of this ranking: it comes from the steep terraces of Charrat, in the Swiss Valais, facing south to south-west, on stony, morainic soils. On the palate, red and black fruit, violet, a silky texture, fine tannins and a slightly saline finish. It takes third place because it shows another side of the grape, tauter and more mineral than New World Pinots. €101.50 a bottle, with an ageing potential of 5 to 10 years.

Escarpment's Kupé is the Martinborough Pinot Noir for ageing in this ranking: it comes from the Te Muna Road vineyard, planted in 1999 on the alluvial gravels of the south of the North Island, New Zealand. Around 30 days of maceration, then nearly 20 months in French barriques, a good share of them new. Raspberry, black cherry, rose, bitter orange, cedar and graphite. Oakier and denser than Block 5, it needs a few years in the cellar and will keep for 10 years or more. €77.40 a bottle, sold in sets of 2.

Tolpuddle's Pinot Noir is the finest gateway to Tasmania in this ranking: its Coal River Valley vineyard, planted in 1988 south-east of Hobart, enjoys a cool maritime climate that draws out ripening. Berries and whole bunches ferment together, then the wine spends ten to eleven months in French oak barrels. Black cherry, raspberry and plum on a lively frame. Next to the New Zealanders in the ranking, it offers brighter fruit and shorter ageing. €71.00 a bottle, sold in sets of 2, with 10 years' ageing potential or more.

Hamilton Russell's Pinot Noir is the South African classic of this ranking: the estate, one of the southernmost in Africa, farms the cool Hemel-en-Aarde valley, behind Hermanus, right by the ocean. The vines grow on stony soils rich in clay and slate. The wine spends 10 months in French oak barrels that have held one to four wines. Wild strawberry, raspberry, juniper, forest floor and mushroom: a very Burgundian profile. Rated for 15 years or more, it is the most affordable long-ageing Pinot in the ranking, at €55.00 a bottle.

Crystallum's Bona Fide is the sunniest of the South African Pinots in this ranking: €49.90 a bottle for a Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir from the Lötter family vineyard, pioneers of the vine in the valley. The grapes, 70% whole bunches, ferment with natural yeasts, then spend 11 months in barriques, 20% of them new. Candied cherry, red rose, smoky notes, then a textured, spicy palate. Sunnier than its neighbour Hamilton Russell, it drinks well today and will last 10 years or more.

Kusuda's Pinot Noir is the Martinborough of finesse: its vines root in the gravels and silts of the old Ruamahanga river terraces, in the south of the North Island, under a cool, windy climate. Black cherry, raspberry, violet and sweet pepper. The palate is silky, carried by lively acidity and fine tannins. Next to Escarpment's Kupé, its regional neighbour, it plays lace rather than density. It is the most expensive bottle in the ranking, at €156.00, with 5 to 10 years' ageing potential.

Domaine Nico's La Savante is the high-altitude Pinot Noir of this ranking: it comes from Gualtallary, in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, where the vines climb above 1,700 metres. Cool nights preserve the acidity. Partly whole bunches, native yeasts, then around 18 months in barrel, with little new oak. Pomegranate, cherry, raspberry, peony and pepper. It shows that Argentina can do more than Malbec. €60.00 a bottle, sold in sets of 2, to keep 5 to 10 years.

Ziereisen's Jaspis Zipsin is the German Pinot Noir of this ranking, a Spätburgunder from southern Baden: the vines surround Efringen-Kirchen, a few kilometres from the French and Swiss borders, on limestone and marl slopes overlooking the Upper Rhine. Native yeasts and long ageing on the lees in mostly used barrels. Black cherry, raspberry, dried rose, liquorice and a hint of smoke. It is the wine closest to the Burgundian spirit in this ranking, through its soil and its restraint. €84.00 a bottle, sold in sets of 2.