Smoke Tree Pinot Noir

Smoke Tree Pinot Noir is a 100% Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, California, bottled at 13.5% ABV in 750ml format. Backed by the resources of Moët Hennessy and shaped by winemaker Joel Burt, this wine draws from eleven vineyard partners and up to five different clones to achieve an elegant, restrained expression of Sonoma Coast terroir.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California  |  100% Pinot Noir  |  Producer: Smoke Tree Wines (Moët Hennessy)

Production & Heritage

Smoke Tree Wines operates under the Moët Hennessy portfolio, giving winemaker Joel Burt access to a wide network of premium Sonoma Coast vineyards. The fruit comes from mature vines averaging 20 years old, primarily Dijon clones planted at high density during the 1990s. Fermentation takes place in open-top fermenters with 10% whole clusters and predominantly native yeast, proceeding long and cool to preserve varietal character. The wine then ages for 12 months in French oak barrels, with just 15% new oak — enough to add structure without overpowering the fruit. This multi-clone, multi-vineyard sourcing strategy is the core of what separates Smoke Tree from single-vineyard or single-clone Pinots in the same price range.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Red plum and raspberry lead, followed by deeper notes of black cherry and Santa Rosa plum. A subtle layer of forest floor, licorice, and a distinct hint of smoke round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is juicy, with loads of dark cherry and plum meeting mid-palate notes of cola and allspice. A silky, well-framed texture carries the fruit through to a secondary wave of strawberry and a faint rusticity that adds intrigue. The 12 months of French oak provide vanilla undertones without dominating.

Finish: Clean and moderate in length, with lingering cherry and a touch of leather. The restraint here is the hallmark — nothing overripe or extracted, just a polished close.

How to Drink Smoke Tree

Serve slightly below room temperature, around 58–62°F, to let the aromatics open fully. This Pinot drinks beautifully on its own with no need for heavy intervention. A classic Pinot Noir Smash works well here, as the wine's natural berry character complements muddled blackberries and a splash of lemon. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) leans into the cola note already present on the palate. For a lighter warm-weather option, a wine spritzer with sparkling water preserves the wine's fruit-forward freshness without losing its earthy backbone.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a reliable, food-friendly Pinot Noir
• Introducing someone to Sonoma Coast wines without overwhelming them
• Hosting a casual wine-tasting flight comparing California Pinot styles
• Gifting a wine drinker who appreciates restraint over fruit-bomb intensity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Smoke Tree Pinot Noir taste like? Smoke Tree delivers juicy dark cherry and plum with supporting notes of cola, allspice, and a touch of earthiness. The palate is silky with moderate weight, finishing clean with hints of leather and vanilla from French oak aging.

How does Smoke Tree compare to Mer Soleil Pinot Noir? Mer Soleil tends toward a much bigger, fruit-forward style, while Smoke Tree is lighter and more restrained on the palate. Drinkers who prefer elegance and earthy complexity over ripe fruit concentration generally gravitate toward Smoke Tree.

Is Smoke Tree Pinot Noir good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced structure and moderate 13.5% ABV make it a comfortable solo pour, especially when served slightly cool to highlight the aromatic complexity.

Where is Smoke Tree Pinot Noir made? Smoke Tree Pinot Noir is produced from fruit sourced across multiple vineyards in the Sonoma Coast appellation of Sonoma County, California. The wine is made by winemaker Joel Burt under the Moët Hennessy umbrella.

What foods pair well with Smoke Tree Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast pairs naturally with the cherry and plum fruit. Grilled salmon complements the wine's silky texture. Mushroom risotto echoes its forest-floor earthiness, while aged Gruyère draws out the subtle vanilla and allspice notes. Herb-rubbed pork tenderloin also works well against the wine's moderate tannin structure.

What sizes does Smoke Tree Pinot Noir come in? Smoke Tree Pinot Noir is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Smoke Tree Pinot Noir worth the price? Smoke Tree positions as an accessible, mid-range Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with production values — native fermentation, French oak aging, multi-clone sourcing — typically associated with higher-priced wines. For drinkers seeking Sonoma Coast character without a premium-tier price tag, it represents solid value.

Why Smoke Tree?

The real differentiator here is the sourcing strategy. Drawing from eleven vineyard partners and up to five Pinot Noir clones — primarily Dijon selections planted at high density in the 1990s — gives winemaker Joel Burt a palette of flavors to blend toward a consistent, layered wine year after year. The production approach is uncommonly hands-off for a wine at this level: native fermentation, whole-cluster inclusion, and restrained new oak usage (just 15%) all point toward a philosophy that prioritizes vineyard expression over winemaking intervention. Backed by Moët Hennessy's resources but styled with a light touch, Smoke Tree stands apart from the many fruit-driven California Pinots that dominate its price tier.