How long does Pinot Noir wine age for?
Most everyday Pinot Noir is meant to be drunk within a few years of release, while well-made reserve and single-vineyard bottles can age 10 to 20 years. It depends on the producer, region, vintage and storage. For a specific bottle, check the producer's guidance.
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In this article
How long can Pinot Noir age?
There is no single number. Basic, fruity Pinot Noir is made to be enjoyed young, usually within a few years of the vintage. Quality Pinot Noir with enough acidity, fruit concentration and structure can improve for 10 to 20 years. Producers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, for example, say a well-made reserve or single-vineyard Pinot should age 15 to 20 years, and cooler vintages can taste better at 10 years than at 2 or 3.
Rough guide
| Type | Guide |
|---|---|
| Everyday Pinot Noir | Drink within a few years of release |
| Reserve or single-vineyard | Often 10 to 20 years if well stored |
| Top Burgundy and similar | Producer-dependent, often long |
These are rough, producer-dependent ranges, not guarantees. Ask the winery or check its notes for the vintage.
What helps Pinot Noir age
- Cool-climate vineyards with ripe but not overripe fruit and retained acidity.
- High fruit concentration, firm acidity and ripe tannins.
- Older vines with deep roots.
- Careful winemaking, including sulfur dioxide levels and gentle handling.
- Closures that limit oxygen, such as screwcaps.
How to store it
- Keep bottles in a cool, dark place at a steady temperature; a common target is around 55 degrees F (13 degrees C).
- Avoid heat and temperature swings, which age wine faster.
- Lay corked bottles on their side so the cork stays moist.
How to tell if it is ready
Aged Pinot loses bright primary fruit and gains earthy, mushroom, forest-floor and dried-fruit notes. If you do not have a producer guide, open one bottle early, then keep the rest if it still tastes tight.
After opening
An opened bottle is best finished within a couple of days. Reseal it and chill it. Drink responsibly.
People also ask
Should I age cheap Pinot Noir?
Usually not. Everyday bottles are made to be drunk within a few years of release.
How many years can good Pinot Noir last?
Quality reserve bottles can often age 10 to 20 years if stored well, depending on the producer and vintage.
Does Pinot Noir get better with age?
Some do, gaining earthy complexity. Others only fade, so check the producer's advice.
Sources
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