Henry of Pelham The Painted Wagon Reserve Pinot Noir 2024 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 93/100

An elegant and layered expression of cool-climate Pinot Noir, offering aromas of ripe cherry, red plum, and cranberry, lifted by hints of violet, clove, and a touch of earthy spice. It’s medium-bodied, dry, and supple on the palate, with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and 13% alcohol lending structure and grace. Serve it slightly below room temperature to let its red fruit and savoury nuances shine. Fascinating fact: The Painted Wagon series celebrates the Speck family’s heritage as one of Niagara’s founding wine families, with this Reserve Pinot Noir crafted from select estate vineyards that capture the region’s limestone-rich terroir. This wine will age beautifully for 5–7 years, gaining complexity and depth. This Pinot has a wonderful backstory. When the Speck family was preparing to replant their vineyards in 1982, they discovered a broken wagon frame in Henry’s old barn. Since the property was once an inn on Stagecoach Road, they restored it as a tribute to the vineyard’s history. That painted wagon sat in front of their tasting room for over 40 years, and now it’s the inspiration for this elegant Pinot Noir. The wine opens with gorgeous aromas of raspberry and spice, then delivers flavours of cherry with a whisper of woodsmoke. It’s fruit-forward yet complex, aged for about a year in wood to achieve that perfect balance. I’d pair this with slow-roasted duck breast glazed with cherry reduction where the caramelized skin crackles against your teeth and the tender pink meat mirrors the wine’s fruit notes. Another pairing would be wild mushroom risotto stirred to creamy perfection with each grain releasing its starchy embrace while earthy porcini echoes the tobacco hints or herb-crusted rack of lamb with its golden-brown crust giving way to succulent medium-rare meat that makes the wine’s subtle oak sing. A maple-lacquered salmon with its sweet glaze forming a glossy shell over buttery flesh that plays beautifully with the raspberry tones or finally roasted beet and goat cheese tart where the earth-sweet beets and tangy cheese create a gorgeous contrast to the wine’s spice. Now here’s the fun part. I’m going to challenge you with a game. After I describe each wine as I just did for this Pinot, you’ll guess which of the five types of people who would absolutely love to be invited over to taste it with you. You can order this wine directly from the winery at www.henryofpelham.com.

Pinot Noir food pairings: pork liver pates, roasted chicken, duck and other game birds.

Delightful Duck Wine

This Henry of Pelham The Painted Wagon Reserve Pinot Noir 2024 was reviewed on October 11, 2025 by Natalie MacLean

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