Wines
of the Week: Bargain Pinot Noir
People
often pay a premium for Pinot, and it is true that for a really
stellar bottle, one has to be willing to shell out a pretty
penny. But, for everyday drinking, there are affordable options.
Our tasting panel sampled four that are under $15 and widely
available. Much to our surprise and delight, the cheapest wine
turned out to be their favorite.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Castle
Rock 2014 Monterey County Pinot Noir
Winery:
Castle Rock
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Monterey County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 5-10
Review:
There are lots of raspberries, strawberries, and pomegranates
on the nose, backed by suggestions of sweet spice and
apple-wood smoked bacon. Flavors of ripe red berries and
pomegranate take shape on the palate, with accents of
bacon, baking spice, and black tea. A wine with elegant
tannins and lively flavors, it's a great value for an
everyday Pinot.
Rating: 89 |
|
Mark
West "Black Label" 2015 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Mark West
Grape(s): 80% Pinot & 20% Syrah
Region: Monterey, Ca
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
An abundance of blackberries and cherries come forth on
the nose, followed by butterscotch, sweet spice, and earth.
The palate blends black cherry, plum, and bramble fruit
with elements of leather, butterscotch, and clove. Rather
supple and a bit sweet but it still has a little hearty
kick to it, pair a bottle with pork chops in a cherry
sauce.
Rating: 86 |
|
Seaglass
2015 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Seaglass
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Babara County, Ca
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
The nose mixes cherries and strawberries with accents
of vanilla and earth. A pleasant acidity carries flavors
of strawberry, cherry, and cranberry into suggestions
of minerals, floral earth, and vanilla. Lively for a bargain
Pinot, it would match up nicely with ratatouille.
Rating: 86 |
|
Acacia
2014 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Acacia
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Ripe strawberries and plums combine with spicy, smoky,
and earthy highlights on the nose. Plum, strawberry, and
cherry flavors form a nice fruit core that interweaves
with rose petal, earth, and spice on the palate. There's
a nice acidity here to balance slightly jammy fruit; pair
it with grilled salmon.
Rating: 87 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
|