Some of the greatest values in Pinot Noir result from top producers blending their single vineyard wines into a Cuvée of multiple vineyards.   This makes perfect sense too, because a top attribute in Pinot Noir is that it’s one of the most complex varietals in both flavor and aroma, and multiple vineyards can often emphasize that… Martinelli’s 2015 Sonoma Coast Pinot is a wonderful example that combines fruit from Blue Slide Ridge and Three Sister’s Vineyards. At around 1/2 the price of those single vineyard bottlings, the Sonoma Coast embodies the winery’s signature style, which has made them one of the Russian River Valley’s most beloved producers.  At under $40, the level of quality/value is obvious the moment this wine splashes into your glass, as the bouquet grabs you and doesn’t let go.

 

Created in a robust, larger-than-life style, the 2015 also embodies a natural elegance that makes it absolutely irresistible.  The 2015 was created with the help of consulting winemaker Erin Green, who worked alongside Helen Turley in the early 1990’s on some of her projects, and to this day, the winery remains a paragon in the Russian River Valley.  If you love BIG, rich, California Pinot Noirs, you’ll want to secure a case of this one, yesterday.

 

Retails at:  $45.00/btl

 

From Wine Enthusiast: “This is a robust, generous and meaty red wine. On the palate, smoke and toasted oak tones support warm baking spice, black cherry and an undeniable earthiness of cardamom and forest floor.“ 91 Points

 

FORT ROSS 2013 PINOT NOIR FRV, SONOMA COAST Retails at:  $52.00/btl   Your Price: $39.99/btl Click to Order   From Jeb Dunnuck: “The  2013 Pinot Noir FRV Fort Ross  Vineyard sports a ruby color as well as an open knit, ready-to-go bouquet of dried cherries, tobacco, menthol, and dried herbs. It’s pretty, medium-bodied, rounded, and supple, with an evolved style ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.” 90 Points

LAIRD 2016 PINOT NOIR GHOST RANCH   Your Price: $42.99/btl Click to Order   I love it when a wine has flavors are so deep and penetrating, that it might be described as chilling, spine-tingling and scary good.  All three of these descriptors came time mind when I tasted Laird’s 2016 Ghost Ranch PinotNoir. Made in a deep, velvety style that I love, Laird’s 2016  Ghost Ranch is haunted by spine-tingling allure, laced with shades of wild blueberries, black cherries, vanilla and spices.