Pinot Noir

Country: US / La Cruz Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Testarossa / Sonoma Coast The cool weather of the Sonoma Coast has made for an acidic, somewhat minty wine. It has some good flavors of cherries, and is elegantly structured and bone dry, but may not have the stuffing for the cellar, so drink […]

Country: US / Lumière Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: J. Christopher / Eola-Amity Hills Part of the winery’s Terroir Series, this is aromatic with bright raspberry fruit dotted with peppery herbs. It displays the spicy herbaceousness of this AVA, with excellent penetration and balance. A strong finish hits a resonant note of minerality.

Country: US / Coopersmith Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Merry Edwards / Russian River Valley Planted on a relatively cool site for the Russian River, the Laguna Ridge, this Pinot is velvety and lush in baked strawberry and black raspberry, a celebration of finely grown, ripe fruit, with sharp-edged acidity and waves of savory mocha. […]

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Baker Lane / Sonoma Coast This is a subtle, svelte and elegant wine, floral in rose petals and violet, the crisp, bright red fruit leaning more toward cranberry and pomegranate than juicy strawberry. With the oak and acidity well-integrated, it provides a seamless, delicious experience, touched […]

Country: US / Pommard Clone Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Amalie Robert / Willamette Valley The star of the single-clone lineup, this feels like a truly complete wine, with pinpoint focus. Complex fruit flavors mix berries and cherries with a touch of spice. Lively and detailed, this perfectly balanced wine does not push too hard, […]

Country: US / Estate Selection Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Amalie Robert / Willamette Valley Refined and subtle, this shows the power of Pinot at its most elegant. The fruits are mellow, melded and lightly marked with baking spices. Smooth and showing surprising density, it has the frame and finesse to age beautifully. Drink now […]

Country: France / Variety: Pinot Noir Burgundy Winery: Domaine Jayer-Gilles / Côte de Nuits-Villages A darkly tannic wine, showing a dry side of Pinot Noir but still offering some good berry fruits and raspberry sweetness. The acidity needs to soften, though.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Lucky Star / California Woodsy, savory, plummy aromas and rather light cherry and black-tea flavors give this wine complexity. It’s medium bodied, easy to drink and enjoy, especially at such a reasonable price.

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Kudos / Willamette Valley This is labeled reserve, but has the same early release and light fruit flavors as the less-expensive regular bottling. Cranberry and celery-stalk flavors are the main elements, and the finish turns quite chalky.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Klee / Willamette Valley This has a strong impression of sweetness, to the point of being almost cloying. That candied raspberry flavor is offset with citrusy acids, giving it a sweet/tart candy character. The flavors don’t quite sync up.

Country: US / Rio Russo Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Vino Vargas / Russian River Valley A simple Pinot Noir, lacking much structure. But it has a delicate mouthfeel and offers pleasant raspberry, cola, brown sugar and toasty oak flavors. Drink now.

Country: US / Cuvée A Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Anne Amie / Willamette Valley This is a light, simple wine, mixing tart cranberry fruit with streaks of leaf and stem. The rather low alcohol and overall lightness makes it a good summer quaffing red.