Wine Pick: Santa Carolina Reserva Pinot Noir 2014

We have found the unicorn of wines: a good and inexpensive pinot noir

It’s hard to find good, inexpensive pinot noir (in fact the words ‘inexpensive’ and ‘pinot noir’ are oxymoronic). But if you go looking, Chile is the country where you will find a couple of lovely examples, like this chewy, smoky, abundantly-fruited wine from historic Santa Carolina. The pinot vines grow on the coast in a chilly region called the Leyda Valley, which allows grapes to ripen fully and slowly. Bright and crimson-coloured in the glass, its rich cherry and woodsy smoke aromas prepare the mouth for a wallop of dark berry fruit, savoury herbs, and tannins with enough grip for a juicy burger. Leyda’s trademark fresh acidity lingers on the robust finish, tempting you to have another gulp. A great value and versatile as heck, with the aforementioned burger, roasted mushroom pasta, or teriyaki salmon.Santa Carolina Reserva Pinot Noir 2014 | Leyda Valley, Chile |  $12.29