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The Second Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir

Tasted December 7, 2019 by The Drunken Cyclist with 445 views

Introduction

My annual tasting of American Pinot Noirs at my home with other Houston-based writers

Flight 1 - Day One (52 wines) (52 notes)

Red
2017 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Temperance Hill USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
93 points
Retail $50. Bright with black cherry and a touch of earth. Fairly light in color. Quite tart and particularly delicious. Close to a whoa. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Byron Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
92 points
Retail $50. A bit on the darker side both in color and aroma. Vanilla and red fruit. Rich and full with a nice level of tartness. On the bigger side of Pinot. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Barrel Select USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Retail $30. Fairly light with cranberry and sweetness. Rather closed on the palate, with not a whole lot going on until the finish, which is tart and spicy. Might need more time. Very Good. 87-89 Points.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Blue Wing Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
90 points
Retail $30. The best nose of the flight, rich and deep with multiple yummy aromas. The palate is not quite as expressive with subtle fruit but also some depth. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 King Estate Pinot Noir Domaine USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
93 points
Retail $70. Medium color. Rich nose of candied cherry, even chocolate. The palate is fantastic: rich, tart, lengthy finish. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Whole Cluster Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
86 points
Retail $24. A bit extracted it seems and is a bit thin and overly tart. It does not seem off in any way, just a bit basic. In a pretty strong field, this seems a bit out of place. Good to Very Good. 85-87 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Westwood Pinot Noir Calera Clone Annadel Gap Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
92 points
Retail $65. The nose seems a bit corked but the others did not seem to think so, a bit of fruit, but not much. The palate is rather flat, but some fruit inches its way in on the mid-palate. I might need to revisit. Very Good. 87-89 Points. After the reveal, I decided that we should open the second bottle, knowing that this wine should have shown better. I was right: not corked on the nose, but rather shy, on the palate, this second bottle was completely different. Subtle, yet good fruit, earthy. The palate is spicy, reserved, and balanced. Much, much better. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
93 points
Retail $35. Medium-light in color. Lovely nose: fruit, earthy, a bit of spice. Very nice. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Wente Vineyards Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Riva Ranch USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Seco
92 points
Retail $30. A really tart nose of pronounced cranberry. Really fruity. Really, really fruity. A bit on the flabby side, but this is still quite tasty. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2014 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
91 points
Retail $50. Dark and earthy with very little fruit on the nose. The palate has some nice fruit, though, with plenty of minerality and some chalky tannins. I am thinking this needs some time. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Wine By Joe Pinot Noir USA, Oregon
87 points
Retail $19. Dark color with a really dirty nose: it smells like topsoil. The palate tastes just like the nose: There is some fruit, but way too heavy on the earth. Good to Very Good. 86-88 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Yamhill Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
90 points
Retail $26. Bright cherry, and quite lovely on the nose, which continues onto the palate. Quite a pleasant quaff. No argument here. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Maggy Hawk Pinot Noir Jolie USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
95 points
Retail $66. Great dark, cherry, a touch of vanilla, and a hint of pine. On the palate, this is a legitimate whoa: fruit? Check. Depth? Intrigue? Check. Check. Whoa. Outstanding. 94-96 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Lucky Rock Wine Co. Pinot Noir Country Cuvee USA, California, Sonoma County
92 points
Retail $20. Tart, maybe unripe cranberry on the nose. The palate is tart and spicy—Really yummy. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencycllist.com
Red
2017 Siduri Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
92 points
Retail $35. Dirty and rustic nose with wild cherry, spice, and chalk. Fruity and lovely, this is also fabulous. Just short of a whoa. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Carmel Road Pinot Noir USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey
91 points
Retail $25. Minty, pine, and dark cherry. Fruity, rich, another winner here. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Nielson by Byron Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
87 points
Retail $29. Under screwcap. Cherry cola and sweet on the nose. Others said this was downright stinky. I could not find that initially but did after a repour. The palate, however, was a bit different: Fruity, but there is a bit of astringency on the finish. Not sure what to think. Did not have a second bottle so I tried what we had again yep, same. Good to Very Good. 86-88 Points.
Red
2016 Saffron Fields Vineyard Pinot Noir Spectrum USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
92 points
Retail $60. Fruity and a bit jammy on the nose with some vegetal notes. Fruity and delicious on the palate, with all the elements including a bit of tannin on the back end. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2015 Yamhill Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
90 points
Retail $40. Pretty light in the glass, with aromas of coffee and red fruit. Fruity, almost sweet, but lacking a touch of depth. Good acidity and finish. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Retail $25. Spice (clove) with dark fruit. The palate was fine: good fruit, plenty of spice. And the finish is particularly noteworthy. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Hyland Estates Pinot Noir Old Vine Coury Clone USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
93 points
Retail $64. A bit on the funky side with noticeable Brett (but I like a little funk). Really fruity on the palate, really fruity. A bit chalky with plenty of spice. This is a big boy, not particularly my style, but I could get used to it fairly quickly. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Chehalem Pinot Noir Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
90 points
Retail $60. Almost soda-pop sweet on the nose: cranberry Sprite. Big-ish, but pleasant with tons of cranberry on the palate. Noticeable tannins here as well. Could benefit from a bit of time in the cellar. Now? Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir La Bohème USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
92 points
Retail $60. Another one from the dark side, but perfectly enjoyable. Depth, breadth, it’s all there. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Orchard Block USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
88 points
Retail $70. Seems a bit over-extracted on the nose. Almost Wagner-esque. The palate is on the thin side and rather non-descript, which makes me wonder if it is in a bit of a dumb phase right now. Very Good. 87-89 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Failla Pinot Noir Bjornson Vineyard Eola - Amity Hills USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
95 points
Retail $45. Lovely nose, clove, cherry. Whoa. This is another winner in my book: fruit, depth, acid, Whoa. Outstanding. 94-96 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2015 Left Coast Estate Pinot Noir Latitude 45 USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
91 points
Retail $40. A bit closed on the nose with only a bit of heat coming through. Not much fruit on the palate either, but this one also might just be in a dumb phase as there is plenty of tartness and a lengthy finish. Still, Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Maggy Hawk Pinot Noir Afleet USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
93 points
Retail $66. Baking spice and cooked cherry. Juicy fruit and great balance this is clearly another winner. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Homestead Block USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Retail $60. Darker fruit here, with some spice as is the palate, could use a dash of acid, but this is very nice. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Domaine Roy & Fils Pinot Noir Incline Dundee Hills USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
88 points
Retail $75. A bit funky on the nose with mushroom, meaty, and dried cranberry. Fruity and minty on the palate. This is a winter Pinot—spicy, meaty, brooding. Very Good. 87-89 Points.
Red
2016 Saffron Fields Vineyard Pinot Noir Heritage Clones USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
92 points
Retail $52. Fruity and sweet with a bit of cardamom. Big and fruity on the palate with good acidity and depth. Very nice. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Five Mountain USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
91 points
Retail $60. A bit funky here again, with fruit hiding behind it. The palate is fruity and fun, but with a serious side, particularly on the finish. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir Hallberg Ranch USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
88 points
Retail $70. Fruity and sweet. The palate is super-fruity. Jammy, but lacking in depth. Very Good. 87-89 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Gap's Crown Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Petaluma Gap
94 points
Retail $70. Lovely nose of fresh cherry and just a hint of earth. Whoa on the nose. Fruity and tasty on the palate—particularly lovely. Excellent. 93-95 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Failla Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
91 points
Retail $65. Flinty and dirty on the nose, but fruity and rather delicious on the palate. Fruit, acid. Nice. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2018 Domaine Bousquet Pinot Noir Reserve Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato
90 points
Retail $21. A bit of extraction here, with cherry coughdrop. More depth than the other ones with this characteristic. Mineral and a great finish. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Big Tree Block USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
90 points
Retail $70. A bit stewed tomato, a bit medicinal. A bit meaty with good acid, lingering finish, and a touch of tannin. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Dundee Hills USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
89 points
Retail $40. Good fruit with a bit of funk. But lovely red fruit. Fruity and fun on the palate but not incredibly deep. Very Good to Excellent. 88-90 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Grochau Cellars Pinot Noir Commuter Cuvee USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Retail $18. Solid cranberry nose medium color. Good fruit, fine acidity, admirable finish. Solid top to bottom but no real “wow” factor. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points.
Red
2017 Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Jackson Estate Anderson Valley USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
92 points
Retail $40. Darker in color and in aromas with a touch medicinal. More good fruit and secondary flavors (leather). Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
91 points
Retail $25. Lovely nose with subtle fruit, solid palate, juicy and perfectly fine. Yum, even. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Cline Cellars Pinot Noir USA, California, Sonoma County
90 points
Retail $20. A touch of funk here. Brett? But otherwise good fruit. The palate is dark and a bit brooding, but good acid and a solid finish. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2015 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Gestalt Block USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
90 points
Retail $60. Cherry cola even Doctor Pepper on the nose of this fairly dark Pinot. Fruity and acidic. A solid effort with a solid finish. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Vintner's Reserve California USA, California
94 points
Retail $20. Rich and lovely both on the nose and the palate this is another winner. Whoa. Excellent. 93-95 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
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Red
2016 Cast Wines Pinot Noir Bacigalupi Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
89 points
Retail $60. Dark, on the verge of meaty. Solid, mostly, tons of fruit, but comes off as a bit flabby, needing a dash of acid. Very Good to Excellent. 88-90 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Domaine Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
89 points
Retail $65. The first bottle was a bit odd, so after the tasting, I popped the second that was decidedly better with good fruit, balance, and an admirable finish. Very Good to Excellent. 88-90 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Chehalem Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
89 points
Retail $30. Classic nose: balanced fruit and earth. Good fruit, lacking a bit of depth but finishes tart and fine. Very Good to Excellent. 88-90 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Division Winemaking Company Pinot Noir Deux Eola Springs Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
90 points
Retail $39. Dirty and flinty. With strawberry, albeit faint, on the nose. Good fruit, a bit funky still on the palate, but this seems like a great food wine. Some healthy tannins on the finish. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Saffron Fields Vineyard Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
90 points
Retail $60. Oaky and vanilla. Fruity, oaky, big. Needs beef, probably a lot. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Coeur de Terre Pinot Noir Sarah Jane's Block Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Retail $65. Medium color, dark red fruit, a bit of heat on the nose. Cough syrupy, medicinal on the palate. Very Good. 87-89 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2012 Ribbon Ridge Winery Pinot Noir Ridgecrest Vineyards USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
89 points
Retail $69. Dirty and flinty nose. Plenty of fruit with a bit of effervescence on the palate. A serviceable Pinot. Very Good to Excellent. 88-90 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Stoller Pinot Noir Dundee Hills USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
90 points
Retail $35. Smoky and gamey. Meaty and flinty on the palate. This is the winner of the flight of four. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Nielson by Byron Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
89 points
Retail $50. Funky and fruity on the nose. Big, rich, extracted to a certain extent. Very Good to Excellent. 88-90 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com

This is mislabeled here in Cellar Tracker. When I tried to create a new wine, it kept reverting to this one. Frustrating--not the same wine. It should by Byron Nielson Vineyard.

Flight 2 - Day Two (48 Wines) (48 notes)

Red
2018 Siduri Pinot Noir Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Retail $35. Rich and fruity, almost cherry-cola on the nose. Strawberry Kool-Aid on the palate. Did I mention “fruity?” Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Ridgecrest Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
90 points
Retail $45. A bit dark with dark fruit and a bit of heat and earth. Surprisingly fruity, on the verge of really fruity. This seems to be a trend. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Dobbes Family Estate Pinot Noir Grand Assemblage USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
91 points
Retail $30. Tart dark fruit, a bit of menthol. Another particularly fruity wine on the palate. Delicious. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 La Crema Pinot Noir Monterey USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey
93 points
Retail $13. Lovely nose of cranberry and the palate is equally delightful. Good juice. Really good juice. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Siduri Pinot Noir Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
93 points
Retail $35. Fruity and rich nose, mostly red fruit. Whoa. Tart and delicious on the palate: great fruit, a bit of depth. Fruity. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Russian River Selection USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
92 points
Retail $45. A bit funky on the nose, but really tart and fruity on the palate. Close to a whoa. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Etude Pinot Noir Grace Benoist Ranch USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
88 points
Retail $47. A bit extracted and overly so on the palate. I do like it, but it is not my style of pinot. Very Good. 87-89 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
93 points
Retail $25. Oaky and dark fruit, a bit of smoke. Lovely on the palate with balance, fruit, tannins at the backend. Whoa. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Bernau Block USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
91 points
Retail $65. Shy on the nose with some nice cranberry eventually. Lovely nose once it comes around. Good fruit. Nice acidity. In fact maybe a bit too tart. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2015 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir Clone 667 Jane's Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
88 points
Retail $55. Funky (Brett) on the nose and really fruity, dark fruit, on the palate. There’s a ton going on here, but not always in concert. Very Good. 87-89 Points.
Red
2017 Failla Pinot Noir Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Retail $30. Dusty and dirty on the nose, really mineral. Fruity on the palate but holy cow is there a ton of tannin here—drying my mouth out right away. This may need some time, maybe a lot of time. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Bricoleur Vineyards Pinot Noir Bricoleur Vineyards USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
92 points
Retail $45. Big fruit, dark and chewy. Tannin and fruit. Nice. Excellent. 91-93 Points.
Red
2016 King Estate Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
92 points
Retail $25. Cranberry and cherry on the nose. Tart and lovely, really nice on the palate. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 King Estate Pinot Noir Inscription USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Retail $20. Shy on the nose here tart on the palate. Nice and tasty. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Clay Court Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
92 points
Retail $60. The first bottle was corked, which was too bad since it seems like there is a good wine there. After the reveal, I decided to open the second bottle, which was fantastic. Good fruit, balance, a hint of funk on the nose but that blew off eventually. Delicious. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Westside Blocks USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Retail $60. Coffee, mocha. Odd. Fruity, fine, just lacking depth. Very Good. 87-89 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Apolloni Pinot Noir Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
94 points
Retail $40. Good dark cherry fruit on the nose, with some earth and hints of spice. Right off the bat on Day 2, this is phenomenal. Great fruit, balance, acidity, lengthy finish. Whoa. Excellent to Outstanding. 93-95 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2015 Angela Pinot Noir Angela Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
92 points
Retail $35. Darker and a bit fruitier on the nose a bit of vanilla and oak. A touch astringent on the palate, but this is another solid effort with dark cherry fruit, bright acidity, Yum. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Chehalem Pinot Noir Corral Creek USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
92 points
Retail $50. More candied on the nose with lovely fruit and earth wow. Bright cherry. This is definitely in my wife’s wheelhouse who likes her Pinot on the fruity side. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Cambria Pinot Noir Signature Julia's Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
91 points
Retail $80. Dark and brooding in the glass with more black fruit than red. With menthol and a bit of funk. Big and bold on the palate. This is a beefy one, but well done. Excellent. 90-92 Points.
Red
2017 Domaine Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Retail $65. Dark nose, dark palate, with cinnamon. Not my style on the palate, but it is perfectly lovely for this style: dark and brooding. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Maison Roy & Fils Pinot Noir Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
89 points
Retail $45. Funky with Brett on the nose, but I generally like the funk. The palate is quite nice with good fruit and acidity, quite different from the nose. Very Good to Excellent. 88-90 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Division Winemaking Company Pinot Noir Division-Villages, "Méthode Carbonique" USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Retail $25. Fruity and a bit extracted on the nose. Decent fruit, and plenty of tannins, a perfectly fine Pinot that needs food. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Domaine Roy & Fils Pinot Noir Iron Filbert Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
90 points
Retail $120. Another case where I needed to open the second bottle, which was quite fruity, with plenty of secondary flavors. It could have used a bit more acid, however, but I nitpick. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2015 Coeur de Terre Pinot Noir Heritage Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
91 points
Retail $40. Cola on the nose, pleasantly sweet. Big, tart cherry fruit. Fruity, fruity, fruity. Noticeable tannins on the backend, though, could benefit from some time. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Westmount Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
93 points
Retail $25. Black cherry and vanilla on the nose. And a bit of minerality, the palate is quite tart and tannic. This is a lovely wine that will certainly get better with some age. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Etude Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
94 points
Retail $50. More menthol and eucalyptus here (Sta Rita?). good fruit on the palate, but in a subdued way. This is particularly good. Whoa. Excellent to Outstanding. 93-95 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Jackson Estate Petaluma Gap USA, California, Sonoma County, Petaluma Gap
89 points
Retail $40. Dark in the glass with red fruit, vanilla, cigarette smoke. A bit too one-dimensional on the palate, with good fruit and drying tannins, but lacking depth. Very Good to Excellent. 88-90 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Copain Pinot Noir Les Voisins USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
91 points
Retail $42. Solid Pinot nose of cherry, cranberry and a bit of earth. Quite tart cherry on the palate, with decent depth, some spice. Really tart though. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Stoller Pinot Noir Reserve Dundee Hills USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
90 points
Retail $50. Funky on the nose but good fruit and balance on the palate. Perfectly tasty, average finish. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2015 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Breaking Ground USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
90 points
Retail $45. Dark fruit and a bit of smoke. Quaffable, solid. I would love to find this in my glass at my wife’s work Christmas party, but I am sure I won’t. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
91 points
Retail $32. Dark red fruit, a bit of menthol, some earth. The palate, again, is perfectly fine with good balance, ample fruit, some discernable tannin. Nice. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
93 points
Retail $40. Strawberry jam a go-go on the nose and also on the palate, this is a lovely, fruity expression of Pinot. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Cambria Pinot Noir Clone 667 Barbara's USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
94 points
Retail $80. A lovely nose of black cherry pie with a sliver of vanilla ice cream on the side. Wonderful balance, with luscious fruit, nice level of tartness, slight tannins, lovely finish. Whoa. Excellent to Outstanding. 93-95 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Ridgecrest Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
91 points
Retail $45. Slightly cough syrupy on the nose, and mostly about the fruit on the palate. This is another lovely wine, with a heavy focus on the fruit. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Chemistry Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Retail $19. Meaty and cranberry on the nose, a bit thin on the palate, a little lacking in fruit, but decent acidity. Very Good. 87-89 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 La Crema Pinot Noir Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
93 points
Retail $35. Cherry vanilla with a bit of spice and earth. Big fruit and quite tannic, this is a rather healthy, muscular wine. Not really my style, but it is darn good. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Saffron Fields Vineyard Pinot Noir Dijon Clones USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
94 points
Retail $60. A bit dirtier, with minerality at the forefront on the nose along with some funk. Lovely fruit, nice acidity on the backend, good tannins. Lovely. Excellent to Outstanding. 93-95 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2015 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Basalt Block USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
93 points
Retail $48. Another slightly dirty wine with cranberry and a bit of cherry. Whoa. Three stellar wines in a row here. Great fruit, tartness, lengthy finish. Yum. Excellent. 92-94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Elizabeth Chambers Cellar Pinot Noir Lazy River Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
90 points
Retail $55. Slightly cough syrupy both on the nose and the palate, this is pleasant, though, with a lengthy finish. Very Good to Excellent. 89-91 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Elizabeth Chambers Cellar Pinot Noir Winemaker's Cuvée USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
91 points
Retail $35. Slightly funky but good fruit with a bit of eucalyptus. Fruity, tasty, lovely. Initially, I thought I was not going to care too much for this, but it is quite nice. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Siduri Pinot Noir Anderson Valley USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
94 points
Retail $35. A tad meaty with dark fruit and a bit of earth. Another lovely wine: great fruit, balance, spice. Yum. Excellent to Outstanding. 93-95 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2018 Hyland Estates Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Old Vine USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
92 points
Retail $45. A bit funky and slight menthol notes on the nose. The palate is heavy: dark, a bit brooding. Good fruit, plenty of tannins. Good. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2015 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Cygnus Block USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
95 points
Retail $65. Stewed and certainly seems “old” the palate is fantastic. This is right up my alley. Certainly a whoa. Think “Corton with even better fruit.” Outstanding. 94-96 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2017 Siduri Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
92 points
Retail $35. Strawberry jam in a glass. Tons of fruit here. Tons. Rich and delicious. My wife’s wheelhouse. Excellent. 91-93 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
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Red
2016 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Machado USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
94 points
Retail $80. Rich and loaded with fruit. Strawberry and eucalyptus. Fantastic wine. Whoa. Outstanding. 94-96 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Stoller Pinot Noir Helen's USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
94 points
Retail $75. Darker fruit, a bit of funk, some red fruit. Really tasty, plenty of yum. Excellent to Outstanding. 93-95 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Red
2016 Copain Pinot Noir Tous Ensemble USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
91 points
Retail $28. Dark red fruit, a bit of earth, some lovely notes, most of them dark. Spice. Very nice. Excellent. 90-92 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
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