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US Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris
Reviews for 2020

October 2020 - US Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris

October 2020 - US Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris
This month's Wine feature is US Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris Wines

US Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris Reviews

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Lawer Estates 2018 Betsys Vineyard Pinot Noir
92 points
$32
Lawer Estates
2018 Betsy's Vineyard Pinot Noir
Rich dark dusty garnet color. Aromas of cherry preserves, roasted beets in raspberry vinaigrette, blackberry chutney, and cumin with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a captivating, medium-long dark chocolate with berry jam finish with moderate oak flavor. A firm and oaky Pinot Noir with unabashedly fruity aromatics; drink now or cellar.
92 points $32
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Date Tasted:
Portola Vineyards 2018 Pinot Noir
92 points
$38
Portola Vineyards
2018 Pinot Noir
Dark dusty ruby color. Aromas of pomegranate sauce, roasted beets in raspberry vinaigrette, Dr. Pepper, caramelized mushrooms, thyme, lilac, and orange oil with a round, lively, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, subtle, long honey-roasted pine nuts and black toast with marmalade and butter finish with light oak flavor. A concentrated, highly appealing Pinot Noir that’s excellent now and will continue to evolve with cellar time.
92 points $38
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Date Tasted:
Kirkland Signature 2018 Pinot Noir
91 points
$12
Best Buy
Kirkland Signature
2018 Pinot Noir
Dusty ruby color. Fruity aromas of ripe cherries, pomegranate, and compressed watermelon with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a polished, compelling, medium-long cranberry crisp bread, fennel, and peppercorns finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A fruit-forward, palate-pleasing Pinot Noir with nice depth of flavor
91 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Bargetto 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir
91 points
$45
Bargetto
2019 Reserve Pinot Noir
Violet color. Aromas and flavors of ripe Marasca cherries, blueberries, roasted parsnip, forest floor, and hints of mint and honey with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long finish with impressions of carob and savory herbs with moderate oak flavor. A nicely balanced Santa Cruz Pinot Noir with bright vivid fruit and complementing savory notes.
91 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Kirkland Signature 2018 Pinot Noir
90 points
$9
Best Buy
Kirkland Signature
2018 Pinot Noir
Dusty dark ruby color. Aromas of red plum, dried cherry, compressed watermelon, seasoned pecans, vanilla gelato, and coconut pastry with a velvety, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, distinctive, long caramelized mushrooms and hints of licorice finish with light oak flavor. A rock solid Pinot Noir that delivers big pops of elegant flavor and silky texture.
90 points $9 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Bargetto 2018 Pinot Noir
90 points
$30
Bargetto
2018 Pinot Noir
Dark ruby color. Aromas and flavors of wild cherry, hints of violet, orange peel, and caramelized mushrooms with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length finish manifesting shades of hints of sassafras, licorice, and honey roasted pine nuts with a suggestion of oak flavor. A vibrant Pinot Noir with some aging potential; bright delicious fruit may lend way to more complex and nuanced flavors in the near future.
90 points $30
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Date Tasted:
Paradise Ridge 2017 Pinot Noir
90 points
$40
Paradise Ridge
2017 Pinot Noir
Bright ruby color. Aromas and flavors of dried cherry, baked strawberry, spiced cranberry, fresh orange zest, mushrooms, dark chocolate, and fennel with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a graceful, refreshing, medium-long finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A fruit-forward, juicy Pinot Noir that will complement roasted turkey and pork.
90 points $40
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Date Tasted:
Cursive 2019 Pinot Grigio
88 points
$7
Best Buy
Cursive
2019 Pinot Grigio
Straw color. Fruity aromas and flavors of ripe pear, hint of almonds, and banana fritter with a supple, bright, dryish light body and a smooth, medium-length finish conveying notes of green apples with honey with no oak flavor. A crisp and clean Pinot Grigio that refreshes.
88 points $7 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Benziger 2018 Pinot Noir
88 points
$19
Benziger
2018 Pinot Noir
Ruby garnet color. Aromas and flavors of spiced cherries, cola, caramel on gingerbread, and coconut with a satiny, crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a smooth, engaging, medium-length finish with touches of minerals with moderate oak flavor. A spicy, toasty Pinot Noir for the cooler months.
88 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Portola Vineyards 2018 Los Trancos Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
88 points
$38
Portola Vineyards
2018 Los Trancos Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
Dusty ruby violiet color. Fruity aromas and flavors of blueberry preserves, toasted pound cake, beets in raspberry vinaigrette, incense, and thumbprint cookies with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, engaging, medium-length finish that shows impressions of nut brittle and cedar with light oak flavor. A bright and food-friendly Pinot Noir with big notes of blue fruit.
88 points $38
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Date Tasted:
Reynolds Family Winery 2018 Pinot Noir
88 points
$45
Reynolds Family Winery
2018 Pinot Noir
Ruby garnet color. Complex aromas and flavors of cranberry chutney, dark berry jam, hints of raspberry, chai tea, jasmine, and incense with a velvety, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-length finish conveying nuances of peppered nuts and ginger with light oak flavor. An oak-kissed Pinot Noir with a spicy side.
88 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Firefly Ridge 2018 Pinot Grigio
87 points
$9
Best Buy
Firefly Ridge
2018 Pinot Grigio
Straw color. Aromas and flavors of green apple, marzipan, croissant with pear butter, and tinned lychee with a satiny, crisp, dry light body and a smooth, medium-length finish with accents of peach yogurt with no oak flavor. A balanced Pinot Grigio for summer Italian fare.
87 points $9 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
It’s a Headsnapper 2018 Pinot Noir
87 points
$9
Best Buy
It’s a Headsnapper
2018 Pinot Noir
Rich dusty ruby color. Aromas and flavors of foraged mushrooms, dried cranberry, dill, and balsa with a slightly chewy, crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a silky, amusing, medium-length finish that exhibits accents of orange marmalade with chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A food-friendly Monterey Pinot.
87 points $9 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Golden Winery 2018 Pinot Noir
87 points
$12
Golden Winery
2018 Pinot Noir
Dusty ruby color. Earthy aromas and flavors of cranberry sauce, compressed watermelon, toast, basil, mushrooms, and earth with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a polished, engaging, medium-length finish with light oak flavor. An earthy-but-bright Pinot Noir with great food affinity.
87 points $12
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Date Tasted:
Firefly Ridge 2018 Pinot Noir
86 points
$9
Best Buy
Firefly Ridge
2018 Pinot Noir
Dusty garnet color. Aromas of dried cherries and cranberry sauce with a slightly chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a polished, easy hints of mushrooms, herbs, and black tea finish with light oak flavor. A robust, food-friendly Pinot Noir for cool-weather pairing.
86 points $9 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Cursive 2018 Pinot Noir
86 points
$14
Best Buy
Cursive
2018 Pinot Noir
Burnt sienna color. Smoky aromas and flavors of mocha latte, candied bacon, Twix bar, and smoked nuts with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a sleek, crisp finish with moderate oak flavor. An oaky, smoky Pinot Noir for autumnal pairings.
86 points $14 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
South Coast 2019 Pinot Grigio
86 points
$14
Best Buy
South Coast
2019 Pinot Grigio
Golden straw color. Toasty aromas and flavors of banana cream pie, baked apple and peach, and yuzu with a supple, soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a quick finish with notes of starfruit, meyer lemon, and white peach. An even and attractive Pinot Grigio sipper.
86 points $14 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Chloe 2018 Pinot Noir
86 points
$17
Chloe
2018 Pinot Noir
Dark dusty ruby color. Aromas of watermelon, fruit punch, and marzipan with a slightly chewy, crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length beets with pistachios, black toast, and graphite finish with moderate oak flavor. A fruity, chewy Pinot Noir to try with Latin cuisines.
86 points $17
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Date Tasted:
Bargetto 2019 Pinot Grigio
86 points
$28
Bargetto
2019 Pinot Grigio
Pale golden yellow color. Aromas of caramel-apple oats, crystallized lemon peel, honey, and white tea with a satiny, bright, dry-yet-fruity light body and a graceful, breezy tart pear, hints of pineapple, and almond finish with no oak flavor. Silky texture invites the imbiber for a second sip in this easy-drinking Pinot Grigio.
86 points $28
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Date Tasted:
Love Noir 2018 Pinot Noir
85 points
$15
Love Noir
2018 Pinot Noir
Dusty ruby color. Aromas and flavors of candied cherries, cranberry tart, maple, and french toast with a coarse, crisp, dryish light body and a tingling, medium finish that presents notes of charred oak with clunky tannins and moderate oak flavor. An easy Pinot Noir for the table.
85 points $15
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2019 Pinot Grigio
84 points
$15
Frey
2019 Pinot Grigio
Yellow straw color. Interesting aromas and flavors of apple jelly, muesli, baked apricot, and chamomile with a satiny, crisp, petillant, dryish light body and a silky, breezy finish with no oak flavor. A funky, baked Pinot Grigio with a laid back appeal.
84 points $15
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Date Tasted:
Imagery Estate 2019 Pinot Noir
84 points
$19
Imagery Estate
2019 Pinot Noir
Ruby garnet color. Aromas and flavors of roasted beets, walnut vinaigrette, sour cherries, and fresh herbs with a satiny, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, easy finish revealing notes of shortcake with a suggestion of oak flavor. A juicy, easy-drinking Pinot Noir for weeknight sipping.
84 points $19
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Date Tasted:
South Coast 2019 Reserve Pinot Grigio
84 points
$20
South Coast
2019 Reserve Pinot Grigio
Straw color. Aromas and flavors of baked apple, raisins, and baking spices with a supple, soft, dry light body and a seamless, brisk finish manifesting notes of cucumber spa water with no oak flavor. A crushable Pinot Grigio to serve ice cold.
84 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Keynote 2018 Pinot Noir
83 points
$11
Keynote
2018 Pinot Noir
Bright dusty ruby color. Aromas and flavors of cherry cola, charred oak, and vanilla soft serve with a slightly chewy, bright, dryish light-to-medium body and a tingling, brisk finish with leafy tannins and moderate oak flavor. An oaky red quaffer for simple sipping.
83 points $11
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Date Tasted:
CK Mondavi 2019 Pinot Grigio
82 points
$7
CK Mondavi
2019 Pinot Grigio
Straw color. Aromas and flavors of green apple, rubber, and iced tea with a soft, crisp, dryish thin body and a seamless, short finish with no oak flavor. A breezy white quaffer to serve ice cold on hot days.
82 points $7
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Date Tasted:
Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown Pinot Gris
81 points
$19
Monte De Oro
2019 Estate Grown Pinot Gris
Pale orange salmon color. Odd aromas of dried pineapple, grapefruit pith, sautéed mushrooms, and strawberry leaf with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, delightful, medium-length herbed cottage cheese finish with no oak flavor. A funky, slightly savory Pinot Gris for creative pairings.
81 points $19
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Date Tasted:
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