Wine Find: 2018 Incivility Pinot Noir

As a certified sommelier with a casual approach to wine, I love sharing wineries that combine passion, terroir, and authenticity without the complicated airs. Enter 16 Mile Cellar, a small family-owned winery founded in 2010, located on the banks of 16 Mile Creek at the base of the 20 Mile Bench in Niagara. This spot is a treasure trove of rich soil and cool-climate conditions perfect for growing classic varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Truth be told, this post could have been about several of the wines produced at 16 Mile Cellar, they are that good! Today, however, we're shouting out a single bottle, the 2018 Incivility Pinot Noir!

16 Mile Cellar at sunset

About 16 Mile Cellar

What makes 16 Mile Cellar so special is their dedication to hand-crafted, small-quantity wines that truly embody who they are at the core. Winemaker Morgan Juniper, who took the helm in 2018, has a worldly background but a down-to-earth philosophy: produce wines that speak honestly of the vineyard and give them the time they need to express their best. Now, current winemaker Eamonn Donnelly shares the same philosophy. As an aside, I had a chance to taste Eamonn's first vintage, and I can tell you that the quality persists!

Lastly, the estate spans around 30 acres, with 25 planted with vines, including some that are almost 100 years old.

About The 2018 Incivility Pinot Noir

Now, onto the star of the show, the 2018 Incivility Pinot Noir. This wine is a barrel selection of 100% whole cluster, wild yeast fermented fruit aged for 15 months in French oak. It’s unfiltered and unfined, which means you’re tasting a wine with minimal intervention.

On the nose, expect rich black cherries, brambly raspberries, and a hint of wild blueberry, all wrapped in perfumed spice aromas that add complexity without intimidation.

The palate is where this Pinot shines with supple tannins that lend grip and structure yet keep it lively and inviting. Flavours of mature red berries, anise, and spices unfold into a long and balanced finish.

In my opinion, the 2018 Incivility Pinot Noir straddles the line between being refined enough for seasoned wine lovers and approachable enough for those newer to wine. It’s a wine that makes you slow down and appreciate the layers without the snobbery; something I think every great wine should do.

You can order this wine directly from the winery, and while you are at it, I highly encourage you to pick up its counterpart, the Rebel Pinot Noir. You'll thank me later!