Vineyards and winemaking
Knightor's Pinot Noir is made from carefully selected fruit grown in Cornwall's cool maritime climate. The long growing season encourages fragrance and bright acidity, while rigorous selection ensures that only sufficiently ripe grapes contribute to the finished wine.
The 2019 was partially fermented and matured in oak barrels for more than ten months, with the remainder handled to preserve fruit purity. This restrained approach adds gentle spice and texture without masking Pinot Noir's delicate red-fruit character; natural sediment may form in the bottle.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Pale ruby red with translucent crimson highlights and a clear, delicate rim.
Nose
Raspberry, wild strawberry and cranberry are layered with rosehip, a touch of vanilla and a fine thread of sweet peppery spice.
Palate
Light-bodied and expressive, with tangy red berries, fresh acidity and soft tannins. Oak lends a quiet roundness through the middle, while the finish returns to cranberry, woodland fruit and subtle pepper, leaving the palate refreshed.
Food pairing
Serve slightly cool with roast duck salad, pork tenderloin, salmon with beetroot, or a mushroom and chestnut pithivier. Its light structure also suits charcuterie and picnic dishes that would be overwhelmed by a heavier red.
Background story
Knightor is situated above St Austell Bay and works with vineyards at Portscatho and Seaton on Cornwall's southern coast. The winery makes still and sparkling wines in small batches, allowing the fruit's natural acidity and the influence of the maritime climate to remain central.
Pinot Noir is demanding in any region, yet its early ripening and preference for cooler conditions make it one of England's most promising red varieties. Knightor's 2019 favours transparency over extraction, offering a distinctly Cornish reading of the grape through bright fruit, gentle oak and fine-boned structure.
