Tis the Season for Pinot Noir

A Pinot Noir can be quite the crowd pleaser. They pair well with a range of foods from duck, goose and turkey to mushroom risotto and white pizza – making it a perfect choice for holiday gifts and gatherings! So during this busy holiday season, leave the wine stress to us! Our wine manager has selected a few of his favorite pinot noir picks and included tasting notes, giving you more time to conquer the holiday season! Less time spent sifting through top pinot noir wines = more time under the mistletoe!

Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir 2013

“Pretty is the word that comes to mind upon sniffing and sipping this wine, with its beguiling strawberry and cherry fruit. It gathers strength in its core, while maintaining an elegant, well-structured acid/tannin frame. It’s an outstanding value in Oregon Pinot from a top producer.” – Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Region/Appellation: Willamette Valley
Country Hierarchy: Oregon, USA

Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015

“This vintage of the Willamette Valley blend shows a bright nose with cherry, earthy mushroom and a slight creamy/silkiness that’s balanced by juicy acid. Showing well now, watch this wine evolve over the next 3 months to 5 years.” – Evesham Wood  

“At this price – this is a Willamette Valley Pinot to buy by the case and watch evolve over time. Evesham Wood is an artisinal producer who’s wines perenially shine. The true enthusiast will be rewarded time and again.” –  Molly’s Wine Manager (Scott)

Region/Appellation: Willamette Valley
Country Hierarchy: Oregon, USA

Anton Bauer Pinot Noir Wagram 2014

“Pure notes of red fruits reach the nose: Morello cherry and mulberry harmonize beautifully. Their purity pervades a palate that has the lightest touch: there is something authentic, beautiful and unforced about this. There is a suggestion, too, of herb, moss or undergrowth. This unpretentious winemaking style lets this pure, glorious fruit speak for itself and brings with it a profound sense of honest depth, bountiful earth and full-fruited balance.” –  Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Region/Appellation: Wagram
Country Hierarchy: Austria

Wedell Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2010

“The deep color and the bouquet, a balance of Old World and California influences with black cherry, raspberry and wild berry components are only a hint at what an extraordinary wine we have created. The richness and complexity are reminiscent of a truly exceptional Pinot Noir. We feel that because our 2010 Wedell Cellars Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir is incredibly balanced, it is readily enjoyable now and will mature beautifully for years to come.” – Wedell Cellars

“Unfined and Unfiltered this 2010 Pinot from the Fiddlestix Vineyard, in Santa Rita Hills, is entering its optimal drinking window. A blend of 5 different Dijon clones intertwine to present an elegant and nuanced wine. Supplimenting the elegant character of this wine, the afternoon sun that Santa Rita is famous for was able to amp this elegant beauty up to 14.9% alcohol by volume; hence it is not “wimpy”. Maurice & Susie Wedell are attentive to every detail in every wine that they make. This is a great opportunity to explore Cali Pinot at the top of its game.” – Molly’s Wine Manager (Scott)

Region/Appellation: Santa Rita Hills
Country Hierarchy: Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, USA

Red Car Pinot Noir Estate 2012

“Heftier than the producer’s Platt Vineyard Pinot, this estate-grown wine features astoundingly bright acidity around dense black cherry fruit. It saw 10% stem inclusion during fermentation and was aged in 20% new oak for just over a year, a recipe that works to buoy the wine and give it plenty of complexity.” Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Region/Appellation: Fort Ross-Seaview
Country Hierarchy: Sonoma County, North Coast, California, USA

Red Car Pinot Noir Estate 2013

“The 2013 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard has a bit more depth than some of the other wines in the range, and that is a good thing, especially in this vintage. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, spice, mint and rose petal are all pushed to the forefront in a deep yet essentially mid-weight Pinot Noir endowed with class and plenty of nuance. The firm, grippy finish suggests another year or two in bottle will only help.” – Vinous/Antonio Galloni

Region/Appellation: Fort Ross-Seaview
Country Hierarchy: Sonoma County, North Coast, California, USA

Red Car Heaven and Earth Pinot Noir 2013

“The 2013 Pinot Noir Heaven & Earth is a little more immediate than most of the other wines in the range, which is a reflection of the slightly warmer microclimate here. Sweet red cherry, plum, lavender, mint and earthy undertones add nuance as this fruit-forward Pinot continues to open up in the glass.” – Vinous/Antonio Galloni

Region/Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Country Hierarchy: Sonoma County, North Coast, California, USA

Red Car Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard 2012

“From high atop the hills above Freestone, this Pinot Noir saw 10% stem inclusion during fermentation and was aged in 20% new oak for just over a year to achieve enviable structure and bite amid an intensity of raspberry and strawberry kirsch flavor. This gorgeous wine will open up even more if held in bottle until 2017–2019. But it’s so good now you’ll find it hard to wait.” – Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Region/Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Country Hierarchy: Sonoma County, North Coast, California, USA

Copain Kiser “En Haut” Pinot Noir 2011

“The upper parcel of our flagship Kiser vineyard continues to yield some of our brightest and most feminine fruit. The 2011 Kiser ‘En Haut’ Pinot Noir maintains the grace, finesse, and consummate elegance of previous vintages. Soft, lovely, and nuanced, this is truly deserving of its reputation as one of our most seductive and sought-after Pinots.” – Copain Wines

“Rumor has it that the cuttings for this vineyard came from La Tache. I can’t confirm this, but I can confirm bright red fruit, savory umami notes of brown Asian spice and beautiful integration. Clocking in at a forgiving 12.7% alcohol by volume – this wine deserves to be on your table.” – Molly’s Wine Manager (Scott)

Region/Appellation:Anderson Valley
Country Hierarchy: Mendocino County, North Coast, California, USA

Underwood Pinot Noir 2015

This Pinot works hard for the working people. Telling a truly Oregon story, the wine draws from vineyards across the state. Each site adds its unique mark to the final Underwood blend, which highlights the rich juicy flavors of Oregon Pinot at an extraordinary price. The perfect wine to enjoy anywhere, any day of the week. The Winery

“Underwood Pinot Noir is a Staff Favorite. Lighter in style, it is unpretentious and delivers the textbook darker cherry, raspberry and plum notes we expect from Oregon. The perfect guilt free Tuesday night sipper.” – Molly’s Wine Manager (Scott)

Region/Appellation:Anderson Valley
Country Hierarchy: Mendocino County, North Coast, California, USA