Review: Diora 2022 Rose and 2019 Pinot Noir
Review: Diora 2022 Rose and 2019 Pinot Noir
Monterey-based Diora Wines focuses on pinot noir and chardonnay, but today we’re looking at two pinot expressions — a standard red and a rose made from pinot noir grapes. Both are designed with summer sipping and affordability in mind.
Let’s dive in.
2022 Diora La Belle Fete Rose of Pinot Noir Monterey – Bright strawberry meets mixed florals in this classically styled California bottling of rose, showcasing a fragrant, creamy character that would feel right at home at Wimbledon. The floral qualities take on a more heavily perfumed quality as the wine develops in glass, with a peach influence informing the finish. If you like your roses round and juicy — and not at all acidic — give this a try. B+ / $20
2019 Diora La Petite Grace Pinot Noir Monterey – A fruit-forward expression of pinot noir, quite juicy and wholly approachable, especially considering the price level: vanilla cola melding here with a substantial core of cherries and dates. Chocolatey on the finish and not at all acidic, it’s less overtly pinot-like than I’d hoped, and it comes across more like a blend, with a juicier merlot-like quality in the mix. No harm in that, fortunately, as the resulting product is bright and fruity without being jammy or too sweet. There’s definitely a house style to Diora that one starts to intuit after these two bottlings, and I have to admit, it isn’t wrong. A- / $26
2019 Diora La Petite Grace Pinot Noir Monterey
$26
