2010 Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
This is Duckhorn Wine Company’s Pinot Noir flagship. In the glass, there is a deep dusty ruby color. The effusive nose pumps lots of jammy raspberry and cranberry fruit, accented by cinnamon and clove spice. Lithe on the palate, the wine shows… Read more
2010 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir, Pisoni Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
Translucent dark red ruby in hue, this wine’s initial green bean scent soon dissipates, revealing some smoke and light wood shavings. Additional swirling releases black raspberry and black cherry notes. A full ten hours after opening, the wine… Read more
2011 J. Lohr ‘Fog’s Reach’ Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco, Monterey
Nearly transparent light ruby, picking up some pink at the rim. The nose is full of jammy strawberry and raspberry fruit, joined by whiffs of sweet vanilla and white pepper. Well balanced with nuanced oak shadings, the wine offers bright red fruit… Read more
2010 d’Arenberg ‘The Feral Fox’ Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills, Australia
Transparent light ruby in color, this wine has an initial floral eucalyptus/mint scent, leading to impressions of moderate red berry/cherry fruit, along with notes of tea and root beer. The wine is quite light in the mouth, catching some grip at the… Read more
2011 Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia
Nearly transparent garnet color, with orange shadings, lightening at the rim. The nose has notes of smoked oak and dried orange peelings that frame delicate, perfumed cranberry and sour cherry fruit. The wine is feminine and silky in the mouth,… Read more
2009 Windstream Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Pretty aromas of sweet dark cherry and raspberry mix with light notes of vanilla and woodspice in this delightful wine from Maddalena Brands. The forward fruit is quintessensial California Pinot — in other words, yummy! MSRP: $30 (April… Read more
2009 Sebastien Riffault ‘Raudonas,’ Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Riffault’s wines are made in the most natural of styles, without fining, chemicals or added sulfur. As a result, they’re always interesting — and even more interesting with age (one might say, an experiment). Three-four years later, this wine is… Read more
2004 Meo Camuzet, Bourgogne, Burgundy, France
Transparent light ruby color, showing some orange at the rim. Seductive aromas of sweet red cherry in the nose, with whiffs of charred oak. Lithe mouthfeel, with some grip at the end. Retail Wine Cost: $27 Wine Lines rating:… Read more
2008 Trione Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Translucent ruby color. Bright, sassy scents of strawberry and cherry are accented by notes of cinnamon, sage and forest mushrooms. The wine starts out silky on the palate, but still shows a fair amount of earthy grip at the end. Pair this light red… Read more
NV Camelot Pinot Noir, California
Neon pink cherry color. Aromas of cherries found in canned fruit cocktail, along with strawberry candy. The wine picks up a silty earthiness in the mouth. Sweet and simple — like a cartoon version of Pinot Noir. For a wine newbie, this is a good… Read more
