2024 Aniello Blanco de Pinot Noir Rio Negro Patagonia

The 2024 Blanco de Pinot Noir has a pale pink hue and aromas of sour cherry, grass and subtle fruit. Highly fresh and well made, this would make a good aperitif, though it lacks the silkiness one might expect from Pinot Noir. (JH)

So fresh, flavorful and fun, this is my pick for the wine of the summer. The 2024 Aniello Blanco de Pinot Noir from Patagonia is a refreshing white wine vinified from 100% Pinot Noir, however, it is actually the palest shade of pink possible, more akin to a vin gris style of rosé from France. This tiny amount of pigmentation is extracted during the pressing of the fruit – the bunches of Pinot Noir are put directly into the press, and during this process itself, a subtle amount of color is extracted from the grape skins as the juice is extracted from the berries. Aniello is located in the heart of Patagonia, in southern Argentina, where long sunlight hours combined with cold nights help to create wines with great intensity and an electric, refreshing feel on the palate. This is evident in the Aniello, where a high level of fruit concentration is contrasted by bright acidity and lingering minerality. Also, an interesting characteristic about white wine made from red grapes is that many typical red fruit aromatics remain: in this wine, fresh strawberries and cream, juicy red plum and a slightly tarter red currant note. Aging in concrete and neutral barrels on the fine lees adds white almond and yeasty brioche to the mix, all backed up by a bracing, lingering finish. At this price, there’s a lot to like here: top-notch winemaking from a premium (and very up-and-coming) wine region, leading to a highly unique style of wine that would be very fun to serve to guests – after all, how many people have tried a white Pinot Noir from Patagonia? This is one to buy by the case while still available.