🍷 How to Tell If a Pinot Noir Is Any Good? Blind Tasting Awards vs Expert Ratings
At FinePinot, we answer this question every day:
“Is this wine any good?”
And we’ve learned that the answer depends—are you opening the bottle tonight, or cellaring it for years? Are you looking for a crowd-pleaser, or something profound?
In this article, we’ll walk you through two major types of ratings: blind tasting awards and expert (non-blind) reviews, and help you understand which matters most—depending on what you’re looking for in a Pinot Noir.
🕶 What Is Blind Tasting?
In blind tasting, judges evaluate wines without knowing the label, price, or even the region. This is how most major Australian wine shows work, including:
- Australian Pinot Noir Challenge (APNC) – Over 300 entries annually, exclusively Pinot Noir
- Royal Melbourne Wine Awards (RMWA) – Prestigious show judged by experienced winemakers and experts
Why blind tasting matters:
- Eliminates brand and price bias
- Gives small producers a fair shot
- Highlights wines that are genuinely impressive on the palate
💰 Why Non-Blind Expert Reviews Still Matter
Non-blind reviews are written by respected critics who evaluate wines with full knowledge of the label, origin, and price. These include:
- James Halliday Wine Companion
- The Real Review (Huon Hooke, Gary Walsh)
- Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Why these ratings matter:
- Higher-priced wines often offer depth and age-worthiness
- Critics assess value, potential, and style
- Consistent high scores suggest strong long-term value
🔍 Our Rule of Thumb
We use $50 AUD as our guide for deciding which rating type to trust more:
| Price | Reference Ratings | What They Tell You |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50 | 🏆 Blind tasting results | Drinkability and great value |
| $50 and above | 🎓 Expert reviews | Cellar-worthy quality and depth |
🏅 FinePinot’s Rating Tags
Look for these icons on our product pages:
- 🕶 Blind-Tasted Gold: Award-winning in blind shows
- 🧠 Critic's Pick: 95+ from Halliday, Parker etc.
- 🔁 Consistent Performer: Multi-year top scores
- 🏅 Dual Certified: Recognized by both blind and expert systems
📦 How to Choose?
✅ Want something delicious for tonight?
- Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir 2023 – RMWA standout
- Bream Creek Tasmania Pinot Noir 2024 – APNC Gold Medal winner
✅ Looking for something to cellar?
- Giant Steps Applejack Pinot Noir 2023 – Halliday wine of year
- Felton Road Cornish Otago Point Pinot Noir 2022 – Long-term ageing potential
🍇 Final Thought
Blind tasting tells you: “Is this wine delicious right now?”
Expert reviews ask: “Is this wine truly worth your time—and money?”
At FinePinot, we believe every Pinot Noir has a story to tell. Whether you're opening one tonight or saving it for a special day, we’re here to help you choose well.
📌 Coming soon: A Pinot Noir buying guide for every budget.
👉 Explore blind tasting winners here »
👉 See our 95+ expert-rated picks here »