Pinot Noir

Country: US / Freedom Hill Vineyard Reserve Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Silvan Ridge / Willamette Valley With scents and flavors of chocolate-covered cherries, this pretty and accessible Pinot Noir promises a bit more than it delivers. The light cherry fruit turns a bit earthy and tannic as it winds into a quick finish.

Country: Brazil / Cave Amadeu Rosé Brut Variety: Pinot Noir Pinto Bandeira Winery: Cave Geisse / Mild citrus aromas are aided by crushed mineral notes. This rosé feels chunky as it blows up on the palate with a cloud of foam. Apricot and orange flavors finish foamy and yeasty in flavor.

Country: Chile / Reserva Variety: Pinot Noir Bío Bío Valley Winery: Agustinos / Generic plum and berry aromas are compact. On the palate, this is tight and blocky in feel, like a brick of cement. Raspberry and plum flavors are limited and dense, while this tastes of mild oak on a slightly hot and fiery […]

Country: US / Rosé of Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Scheid Vineyards / Monterey A slightly redder shade of pink, this bottling offers strawberry gum and watermelon juice aromas, which play toward the juicier style of rosé. There is solid zip on the sip, cutting through the riper flavors of plum and orange peel.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Russian Ridge / Santa Cruz Mountains Freshly squeezed red currants, rose petals, sweet sagebrush and potpourri-like perfume arise on the nose of this bottling. Those florals extend to the palate, where it meshes with rhubarb and pressed-strawberry flavors.

Country: Chile / Reserve Variety: Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley Winery: Viña Casas del Bosque / The cherry and cinnamon aromas are true and inviting, and they stand up to the oak that’s been thrown at this Pinot. The flavor profile deals raspberry and cherry amid oaky shadings. The finish is toasty and warm, with some […]

Country: US / Michaud Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Testarossa / Chalone From up in the Chalone highlands, this is a fruity wine, filled up upfront flavors of cherries, raspberries, cola and spices. The structure is simple, with silky tannins and decent acids supporting the flavors without establishing any great depth or complexities.

Country: US / Bien Nacido Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Longoria / Santa Maria Valley A curious wine. On the plus side is a tantalizingly tasty flavor, like fully-ripened raspberries and cherries crushed into a delicious nectar, then sprinkled with honey and white pepper. A good overlay of toasty oak adds richness. Yet there’s […]

Country: US / Vintner’s Reserve Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Kendall-Jackson / California From coastal counties between Mendocino and Santa Barbara, a nice, supple wine that has plenty of Pinot character. Don’t expect depth or ageability, but this black raspberry-flavored wine has soft, silky tannins and a spicy finish.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Wedell Cellars / Edna Valley Tastes strong and distinctive, with well-etched white pepper, black raspberry, tobacco and herb flavors. This earthy wine feels silky smooth on the palate, with crisp acids, but is a little one-dimensional for the price.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Saintsbury / Carneros Fruity and simple, a mélange of thorn bush berry and tree fruit flavors encased in silky tannins and adequate acids. A good candidate for a tutorial on Pinot Noir.

Country: US / Private Selection Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Robert Mondavi / Central Coast It’s Pinot-esque in the cherry and raspberry flavors and light, silky tannins, which make for easy drinking. Crisp acidity boosts the flavors and adds zest and life. Certainly a simple wine of little depth, but will suffice for an inexpensive […]