Wine Review: Martin’s Lane Pinot Noir 2020

December 2023

Excellent getting a sneak peek of the 2020 vintage release of one of the most exciting Pinot Noir producers in North America – Martin’s Lane from the Okanagan Valley, BC 🇨🇦🍷👌🏻

2020 vintage was as close to a perfect vintage for a Pinot producer as one could imagine, and given the high degree of variability in the Okanagan’s vintage variability these days, the 2020 vintage is something potentially quite rare (especially considering heat dome of 2021, forest fires of 2022 and 2023, and significant vineyard loss due to the cold winter events last year), so as a collector, this is a vintage you should seek for your collection.

Martin’s Lane Winery, located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, is widely regarded as one of the most exciting Pinot Noir projects in the world. This winery has gained significant attention and acclaim for its relentless pursuit of crafting exceptional, terroir-driven Pinot Noir wines.

What sets Martin’s Lane Winery apart is its unwavering focus on Pinot Noir as the primary grape variety. The winery’s commitment to this grape allows them to fully explore and understand its potential within their unique vineyard sites. They meticulously source and cultivate their grapes from specific vineyard blocks, each with its own distinct microclimate and soil composition, to capture the true expression of the terroir. These are 100% terroir-wines and the differences in each are remarkable, each showing the best characteristics from those specific vineyard sites.

Martin’s Lane Winery employs a minimal intervention approach in the winemaking process, allowing the grapes to speak for themselves. They utilize traditional winemaking techniques and innovative technologies to create wines that are both elegant and powerful, showcasing the delicate nuances and depth of flavor that Pinot Noir can achieve in the Okanagan Valley.

The combination of their exceptional vineyard sites, meticulous viticultural practices, and the expertise of their winemaking team has resulted in wines that consistently receive critical acclaim and impress wine enthusiasts worldwide.

Martin’s Lane Winery’s dedication to Pinot Noir, their pursuit of excellence, and their ability to capture the essence of their unique vineyard sites have firmly established them as a leading force in the world of Pinot Noir. Their wines have garnered international recognition, placing the winery on the global stage and making it an exciting and highly regarded project for lovers of this noble grape variety.

I had the pleasure of tasting the 2020: Dehart Vineyard Pinot, Naramata Ranch Pinot, Simes Vineyard Pinot, as well as the Naramata Ranch Zenith Pinot, and Fritizi’s Vineyard Pinot. And to add to the experience, I tasted those alongside three other benchmark expressions of Pinot from Oregon (Kelly Fox Freedom Hill), Central Otago NZ (Felton Road Macmuir Pinot), and Nuits-Saint-Georges, Cote de Nuits, Burgundy (Philippe Gavignet 1er Cru Les Prulier).

2020 Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir: This small west-facing East Kelowna Slopes vineyard produces very perfumed Pinot with great structure. Clones 777 & 667 are co-fermented in concrete, 60% whole bunch, and aged for 17 months in a mix of Austrian and French oak, extra tight grain. Nose shows a beautiful perfumed bouquet with expressive cherry and herbs. Fine integrated tannins are youthful giving additional texture making this a great Pinot to cellar and enjoyed over the next 10-15 years with rich dishes. Tasted December 2023. 94 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2020 Naramata Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir: Textbook expression of premium Naramata Bench Pinot from two vineyard parcels planted with Pommard, 943, 828, & 667. Deep colour, distinctive Naramata character with unique bramble, blueberry, sage, and cherry notes. 65% whole bunch fermentation in concrete, aged for 17 months in a mix of Austrian and French oak, extra tight grain. Nose shows a beautiful perfumed bouquet with expressive cherry and herbs. Fine integrated tannins are supple, showing great structure, this wine is ready to enjoy now and will develop beautifully over the next 10-15 years. Tasted December 2023. 94+ points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2020 Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir: This small north-facing South Kelowna Slopes vineyard produces very elegant Pinot with great intensity. Clones 667 & 943 are co-fermented in concrete, 70% whole bunch, and aged for 17 months in a mix of Austrian and French oak, extra tight grain. Simes are the coolest vineyard parcels in the portfolio, and given the low elevation and North aspect, this Pinot is exceptionally elegant and fresh. A beautiful mix of red and dark berries perfumed spice and more grippy fine tannins on the long finish. Cellar and enjoy 2026-2036 with game birds, and savoury dishes. Tasted December 2023. 93+ points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2020 Fritzi’s Vineyard Pinot Noir: A small West Kelowna parcel planted in 1997 with Clone 115 producing super perfumed and harmonious Pinot. Fermented in concrete, 70% whole bunch, and aged for 17 months in extra tight grain Austrian oak. Impressive bouquet of fruit along with earthy notes too. This is the finest Pinot I’ve tasted from West Kelowna in the past decade+. A Grand Cru in the making. Tasted December 2023. 96 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2020 Naramata Ranch Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir: From the most isolated and high elevation parcel of the picturesque Naramata Ranch Vineyard, this small parcel has some of the warmest and coolest growing conditions with its south aspect facing Penticton and overlooking Lake Okanagan. The result is expressive, high intensity Pinot with unparalleled elegance and structure. This is the finest Pinot Noir I’ve tasted in the Okanagan Valley and a great testament to the world-class capability of this vineyard and winery. Planted exclusively with Clone 667, with 50% whole bunch fermentation in concrete, aged for 17 months in a mix of Austrian and French oak, extra tight grain. Super perfumed with outstanding complexity. Nose shows a beautiful perfumed bouquet with a medley of red and dark fruits with expressive sage brush notes. Fine perfectly integrated tannins, making this primed to enjoy now and over the next 10-15 years. Tasted December 2023. 96+ points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Highly recommend checking out these wines and adding to your collection/wine program. Winery direct purchasing available here.