Cave de Rois / Marco & François Grognuz, Valais (Switzerland) Pinot Noir 2016

 The Grognuz family has been making this wine since the very early 1980s, and the 2011 rendition won a competition in Sion for the best Pinot in Switzerland.  I have no idea how many entries were involved in that competition, but I can say with certainty that this would win a lot of competitions at which I’ve judged.  Fully 30% of the oak was new, and the cap was punched down rather than broken by the pump-over method, as with virtually all of the world’s top Pinots.  Although some oak shows in the finished wine, the fruit is easily up to the challenge it poses, maintaining its delicacy but showing good length and fruitiness.  Terrific winemaking here.