Kynsi Winery Precious Stone Pinot Noir Edna Valley 2012
Bright ruby red color. The nose is simply beautiful offering waves of ripe and semi-tart red berries with supporting notes of purple flowers, jasmine, raspberry compote, cranberry, and mineral with hints of vanilla soaked oak. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a very sophisticated fruit core with an abundance of spice, oak, and floral notes with long trailing tart cherry notes and sexy oak tones. Medium to full-bodied with perfect balance due to a fresh vein of bright acidity that greets you on the first sip and carries through to the finish. $62 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Bogle Pinot Noir California 2013
Brilliant, deep, ruby red color. The nose is quiet fetching with scents of violet, ripe strawberry, and red cherry supported by accents of mineral, subtle leather notes, cigar wrapper, and toasted oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush but vibrant fruit core with tart cherry flavors offering the perfect foil to the bright, ripe red fruits with trailing spice, oak, and soft earth tones. Ideally balanced with layers of fruit and spice flavors and soft, chewy tannins. $12 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Bargetto Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains 2013
Bright ruby red with a translucent center. The nose is complex and deep with scents of ripe and tart black cheery and cranberry supported by generous notes of mineral, plum, toasted oak, allspice, and hints of vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a charming melange of ripe and tart fruit with trailing spice and oak notes that linger on. Perfectly balanced with a vibrant dose of acidity that along with the seductive fruit core keeps you coming back for more. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $28 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Lucas & Lewellen Rosé of Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant salmon color with hints of ruby. The nose is quite floral with waves of fresh, ripe berries and a hint of mineral and citrus zest. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush, fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, strawberry, semi-tart red cherry, and plum with accents of mineral, citrus, and cranberry. It's perfectly balanced with a ripe, full center and vibrant acidty. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $18 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Pietra Santa Pinot Noir Cienega Valley 2012
Bright ruby red color. The seductive nose offers scents of raspberry and black cherry with accents of strawberry, allspice, oak, heather, wild herbs, and hints of vanilla. The palate is in full agreement with the nose offering a silky fruit-driven core with flanking notes of brown baking spice, mineral, and toasty oak. Perfectly balanced with a refreshing dose of acidity and subtle tannins. Ideally proportioned and full of charm and style. This beautiful Pinot needs nothing but a glass but it compliments grilled beef tenderloin, braised meats, and charcuterie. A steal at under $20. $18 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Pietra Santa Signature Collection Pinot Noir Cienega Valley 2011
Deep ruby red color. The nose is complex and multilayered offering waves of mineral notes with a dense berry center and accents of wild flowers, heather, black pepper, and toasted oak. The palate fully concurs delivering a concentrated, fruit-forward core with plenty of tart cherry notes to match the sweet raspberry and strawberry flavors. The rich fruit core is framed by toasted oak, brown baking spices, and omnipresent mineral notes. A generous dose of fresh acidity keeps this Pinot fresh and alluring. It finishes with mild tannins and a pretty spice melange. Please decant this wine and allow it to breathe for 30 minutes to reveal its many charms. $35 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Route 152 Pinot Noir Central Coast 2012
Bright ruby red color. The aromatics feature ripe and vibrant notes of raspberry with sweet red cherry and wild strawberries supported by barrel notes that included allspice, black pepper, and cardamon with hints of vanilla. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush but crisp mouthfeel dominated by a ripe fruit core with flanking notes of spice, oak, and subtle earth tones. Ideally balanced with lingering tart berry and oak flavors. This is an undisputed “Best Buy” and perhaps the greatest Pinot value I have ever encountered. $10 – 5 Stars – 97 points
