Acacia Pinot Noir, Carneros 2003

Price $15.99

Rating 92

Rich, jammy fruit in this consistent winner of a Pinot Noir. Think of black cherry and spiced strawberry jam. Aromas of dark cherry and cinnamon spice are followed by flavors of dark, complex fruit with a lilt of decaying leaves and mushroom/mineral.

Bouchaine Pinot Noir, Carneros 2003

Price $25

Rating 93

Winemaker Michael Richmond has crafted a Pinot Noir capturing floral and rich, red cherries, with a hint of mocha. This guy is a Pinot genius.

Camelot Pinot Noir, California 2003

Price $7.99

Rating 89

The color is a beautiful ruby red. There are aromas of ripe red fruits such
as strawberry, sour cherry, along with dried herbs.

Clos du Bois Pinot Noir, Sonoma 2003

Price $16.99

Rating 91

The sip leads with red cherry and cinnamon spice. The length is long with
complexity. This is one of the most dependable wine producers in California.

Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir “Paragon” Edna Valley 2003

Price $18

Rating 93

Richly concentrated with complex, earthy red fruit, this red is well made.
The length is long and demonstrates a sophisticated array of flavors.

Estancia Pinot Noir “Pinnacles Ranches” Monterey 2002

Price $12.99

Rating 89

A classically styled Pinot Noir, adopting the Burgundian philosophy of
handling the fruit as delicately as possible.

Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, 2002

Price $52

Rating 95

The nose is deep and resounding with powerful, dark fruit. Earthy, complex
aromas arise. The sip leads with concentrated dark, jammy fruit. This Pinot
is big and the length is long.

Kendall-Jackson “Highland Estates” Seco Highlands Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco
2003

Price $30

Rating 93

The soft, complex nose hints at mineral and somber, dark fruit. A sip
explodes with an array of complex dark fruit, mineral and Burgundy-like
directions.

Mirassou Pinot Noir, Monterey 2003

Price $11

Rating 87

The nose offers concentrated red fruit and brown spice notes. The sip enters
with refreshing cherry cola elements, finishing on the lighter side. This is
a perfect warm weather red to pour out on the deck

Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir, Yamhill County, 2001

Price $22

Rating 84

Perhaps the fruit is not fully ripe, compared to other Oregon Pinot Noirs
tasted. For most wineries there, this was a great vintage year. Wild berry
flavors, soft earth and slight green notes are in the good, fairly complex
length.

Sonoma Cutrer Pinot Noir, Russian River 2002
Price $28

Rating 89

This Pinot Noir tips its hat towards Burgundy for styling. A tad sharp and
acidic, it demands a rich food pairing. This is the winery’s first bottling
of anything other than a stellar Chardonnay

Trinchero Pinot Noir “Vista Montone” Napa 2003

Price $27

Rating 88

The sip leads with jammy blueberry, sort of on the sweet side. This vibrant
red could work with spicy, grilled meat. Pair this with Bar B-Q basted in
tomato based sauce.

Turning Leaf Pinot Noir Reserve, Sonoma 2003

Price $11.49

Rating 90

Bright red cherry notes are in the nose. The sip is earthy and filled with
ripe, complex fruit. The taste tapers off with hints of mint and spice.