Bread & Butter Pinot Noir California 2015
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of red cherry and raspberry with supporting notes of mineral, oak, and plum. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of cassis and accents of smoked meats and dried herbs. The finish is long with silky tannins. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $15 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Tongue Dancer Wines Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2015
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of black cherry, boysenberry, and plum with supporting notes of slate, five spice, and rose petals with accents of earth. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of crushed black and red berries. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced despite its concentrated fruit core offering an opulent and silky texture. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $49 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Tongue Dancer Wines Putnam Vineyard, Rosé of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2016
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, deep salmon color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of cantaloupe, cranberry, and raspberry with supporting notes of rose petals, red fruits, and cherry. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and melon fruit-driven core with flavors of white peach and blanched almonds. The finish is dry with bright acidity and lovely, tart red fruits. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Gundlach Bundschu Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2014
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black cherry, cassis, and boysenberry with supporting notes of black tea and baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of pomegranate. The finish lingers with supple tannins. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $40 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Nia Pinot Noir California 2015
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby red color. The nose reveals complex aromas of ripe, red cherry with raspberry and tart cherries supported by accents of mineral, dried herbs, and soft earth tones. The palate echoes the nose delivering a fruit-centric core that features both ripe, sweet cheery along with tart cherries, cassis, and raspberry framed by earth and spice. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with a vibrant fruit core that is flanked by earth and spice notes. $9.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Run Riot Pinot Noir Central Coast 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep, ruby red color. The nose presents a dense marriage of black cherries and blackberry with a healthy dose of brown baking spices, dark chocolate, and hints of smoky bacon and cassis. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and jammy black fruit-driven core with waves of baking spices and subtle earth tones finishing with soft, chewy tannins. This is bigger and more jammy than your typical Pinot Noir but it is quite vibrant with bright acidity and framing tannins that provide ideal balance. $19.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Tongue Dancer Wines Putnam Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby red with hints of purple. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe red and black berries with supporting notes of earth, mineral, dried herbs, forest floor, nutmeg, and hints of leather that emerge after extended aeration. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but very vibrant fruit-driven core with generous accents of earth, spice, and oak finish that lingers on for minutes. Medium to full-bodied with ideal proportions and balance thanks to a bright dose of fresh acidity. The wine's texture is equal to the pleasing flavors as it feels weighty without ever being heavy. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $65 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
MacPhail Wightman House Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2014
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is quite complex offering scents of ripe, sweet red cherries with equal portions of tart cherries flanked by toasted oak, subtle earth accents, and a hint of clove. The palate concurs with the nose delivering a very rich and concentrated fruit core with the sweet and sour red fruits still competing for domination. On the back palate we find trailing notes of spice and oak finishing with firm but well-integrated tannins. Full-bodied with dense fruit and decadent wood flavors and a refreshing dose of acidity. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $55 – 4 Stars – 93 points
MacPhail Lakeview Vineyard Pinot Noir Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2014
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is complex and inviting offering scents of red cherry and raspberry with generous accents of toasted oak, anise, allspice, and subtle earth notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but vibrant fruit-driven core with pretty oak and spice notes in the flanks finishing with soft, silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied with lush, bright fruit and a beautiful creamy texture that is equally vibrant thanks to generous dose of acidity. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $49 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Giesen Pinot Noir Marlborough 2014
Brilliant, translucent ruby red color. The nose is very expressive and complex offering scents of red plum, wild red berries, and cherry with supporting notes of clove, anise, mineral, and hints of earth. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and juicy core with flanking notes of brown baking spices, earth, and mineral that adds structure and length. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and great length with long trailing tart fruit and spice accents and soft tannins. $30 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
