Devil Made Pinot

Revered André Tchelistcheff was not lying when he said, “God made Cabernet, but the Devil made Pinot.” The most delicate and expressive of the reds is also the moodiest — ripening, sulking and withering on the vine at lightning pace, often with little warning. It’s a varietal that demands absolute attention, rewarding precision while punishing hesitation. Pinot Noir can test patience, fray nerves, damage egos and king-hit the spirit of even the most seasoned winemaker. It is a grape that asks fo