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Wines of the Week:
Classic Cali Pinot Noir - Under 20, 90 Points

There's just something special about a well-crafted Pinot Noir. While many of them require one to pay top dollar, we'd found a few that deliver a lovely character and are available for $20 or less. So scoff that those higher priced bottles and enjoy these, even on a budget.

Click on labels to enlarge

Testarossa 2016 "Cuvee Los Gatos" Pinot Noir
Winery: Testarossa
Grape(s):
100% Pinot Noir
Region: California
Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
15-20

Review:
Waves of strawberries, cherries, and orange peal combine among suggestions of earth, clove, and tea on the nose. The palate reveals flavors of strawberry and bing cherry, along with accents of brown spice and tea. A lighter-style Pinot with a nice acidity, open a bottle when you serve pork tenderloin.
Rating: 90

Cambria 2015 "Julia's Vineyard" Pinot Noir
Winery: Cambria
Grape(s):
100% Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California

Year:
2015

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
15-20

Review:
Lots of plum, strawberry, and raspberry aromas come up front, with hints of clove, vanilla, and floral earth backing them up. A vibrant acidity lifts flavors of strawberries, dark raspberries, and pomegranates that flow into expressions of vanilla, earth, and all-spice. Lively and well suited for food, roast chicken or even duck would match up nicely.
Rating: 90

Kendall-Jackson 2016 "Vinter's Reserve" Pinot Noir
Winery: Kendall-Jackson
Grape(s):
100% Pinot Noir
Region:
California

Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
10-15

Review:
Bringing together aromas of cherries, raspberries, and boysenberries with suggestions of toasty vanilla and brown spice make the nose rather inviting. On the palate, flavors of cherry, boysenberry, and raspberry mingle among allusions of vanilla and toasted coconut. Fairly light and approachable, with a balanced acidity, it's a must try if you can find it for under $15.
Rating: 90

By Jason Barlow

Other Related Links:

Ratings Key:
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

 

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