Pinot Noir

Country: US / Cider Ridge Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Balletto / Russian River Valley A softly unfussy wine with moderate acidity, this is rounded and light-bodied, with rose petal and red cherry aromas. The oak is subtle and supportive.

Country: US / White Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Amity / Willamette Valley A white wine made from a red grape, this barely hints at a tawny straw shade. The fruit tastes principally of golden apple and white peach, and it has a pleasing roundness in the mouth, with a light touch of saltine cracker.

Country: New Zealand / High Block Variety: Pinot Noir Martinborough Winery: Murdoch James / A little shy at first, and smelling slightly synthetic, this wine needs a little time in glass. Eventually it opens to reveal notes of cherry cola and coffee spice. With chewy, dusty tannins and fairly pronounced oak, this wine is on […]

Country: US / Kaufman Sunnyside Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: WillowBrook Cellars / Sonoma Mountain Rhubarb, cranberry and strawberry mix on the nose in this richly inviting wine that is textured and not overwhelming in weight. Featuring electric acidity, the wine finishes boldly in blackberry and licorice.

Country: US / Doctor’s Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Testarossa / Santa Lucia Highlands One of Testarossa’s best 2011 Pinot Noirs, of 14 released, this wine is, in a word, gorgeous. First off is the silky texture, as airy as a cloud. Then there are the flavors, complex and lush in raspberries, cherries, brown […]

Country: US / Pisoni Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Testarossa / Santa Lucia Highlands This single-vineyard wine feels light and silky in the mouth, like the passing of a cloud. Yet incredibly ripe cherry, raspberry, strawberry and cola flavors give it weight and importance, making it sweetly delicious. Brilliant acidity provides balance, suggesting pairing […]

Country: US / Isabelle Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Au Bon Climat / California The California appellation is because this Pinot is a blend of vineyards from Anderson Valley, Russian River Valley and the Central Coast. Few vintners dare to take such an approach, especially with so expensive a wine, but Jim Clendenen succeeds wildly. […]

Country: US / La Encantada Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Testarossa / Sta. Rita Hills If the first duty of a wine is to offer pleasure, then this wildly succeeds. It shows the power of great Santa Rita Pinot, with superb balancing elegance. As sweet as the raspberries and licorice seem, the wine finishes […]

Country: US / Dos Rubios Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Testarossa / Santa Lucia Highlands This is certainly one of Testarossa’s best 2011 Pinot Noirs. The winery purchases most of its fruit, but in this case, the vineyard is co-owned by Testarossa, and winemaker Bill Brosseau had complete control in the vineyard. The wine […]

Country: Australia / Destinations Variety: Pinot Noir Victoria Winery: Long Flat / Yarra Valley If you’re looking for a clean, well made Pinot Noir at an affordable price, you could do a lot worse. Modest cherry and cinnamon flavors ease across the palate on silky tannins and linger elegantly on a slightly dusty finish. Drink […]

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Rock Point / Oregon One generally approaches a $15 Oregon Pinot Noir with extreme caution, but here is a lovely surprise. Clean, soft, balanced and reasonably varietal, this is as good a value as you will find in this price-driven state. The flavors are soft and supple, […]

Country: US / Doctor’s Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: George IV / Santa Lucia Highlands Tight and acidic, with a sharpness that’s a little cutting now, despite elaborate cherry pie filling, cola and red currant flavors. Could develop over the next few years, but it’s a gamble.