Not All Pinot Noirs Taste The Same – Our Tasting Notes

By Tom Marquardt And Patrick Darr

Pinot noir thrives in California’s diverse terroir, though this thin-skinned “heartbreak grape” demands specific conditions: cool nights, morning fog, and proximity to the Pacific.

While Sonoma County leads in production volume, connoisseurs seek bottles specifically from Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. Napa’s Carneros region benefits from San Pablo Bay’s cooling influence, as does Monterey along the Central Coast—both yielding wines with pronounced red fruit notes, earthiness, and bright acidity.

Our personal preference leans toward Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills, where pinot noir develops intriguing complexity, spice, and dark fruit characteristics. The neighboring Santa Ynez and Santa Maria valleys also produce noteworthy expressions.

Quality comes at a price, however. Intentionally restricted vineyard yields create scarcity, driving costs higher. Budget-conscious consumers should look for bottles labeled “California,” indicating multi-regional blends.

Here are a few from specific regions that we have recently tasted:

Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2022 ($95). Named for the producer’s south-facing hillsides, this exquisite pinot noir has a bounty of aromatics that range from strawberry to clove.  The flavor profile follows with strawberry and red currant notes, and a thread of minerality. The producer’s “Ten” pinot noir is even bigger with abundant blueberry and spice notes.

Bouchaine Estate Pinot Noir Napa Valley 2022 ($50).  Using nine different clones, this Pinot Noir from Carneros blends different blocks from the producer’s estate. Varietal cherry and strawberry flavors with hints of nutmeg and spice.  Smooth texture.

($50). Using grapes from the producer’s El Jabali estate vineyard in addition to some fruit from other neighboring producers, Alma Rosa has a reliable pinot noir year after year—simple and pure red fruit flavors backed by good acidity and easy tannins.

Goldeneye Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2022 ($90). Anderson Valley has been turning out some enjoyable pinot noirs of late, and this one is a good example—generous and ripe dark cherry flavors with ripe dark berry and plum flavors.

Juggernaut Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021 ($20). A great value in an expensive wine category, this beauty has a very creative label and a solid wine behind it. Fruit-forward in style, it has ripe cherry flavors, a touch of spice, and vanilla.

Cambria Estate Winery Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 2022 ($20-25). This is more on the lean side with plum and raspberry notes with lavender and sage aromas.

Dutcher Crossing Terra de Promissio Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021 ($58).  Drawing grapes from a prized vineyard, this wine has huge strawberry and raspberry aromas with hints of forest floor and spice, followed by red fruit flavors and a dash of mushrooms and minerality.

Lucia by Pisoni Estate Cuvee Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2023 ($55). Jeff Pisoni loves to make pinot noir and we’re thankful for it. This estate version has all the luxury and texture of much more expensive pinot noirs because it gets the same golden touch. We like Pisoni’s prestige pinot noirs, but this cuvee is delicious for the price. Raspberry and distinct clove aromas with dark fruit flavors and a dash spice. We also loved the 2023 Lucia by Pisoni Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir for its depth and character.

True Myth Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo Coast 2022 ($28). Dark cherry and jammy strawberry flavors with hints of spice and vanilla make an interesting pinot noir that is a value in this often-expensive category.

Cuvaison Mariafeld Pinot Noir Napa Valley 2023 ($80). This small-lot pinot noir from young vines is beautifully crafted with fresh red fruit flavor, soft tannins and a hint of spice.

Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2023 ($50). Nice cherry and red raspberry notes with a dash of oak.

Ex Post Facto Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2024 ($30). A nice spinoff of Brewer-Clifton, this accessible pinot noir has youthful red fruit and a floral nose.

Alma de Cattleya Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2023 ($26). Pure fruit character unadorned by oak with grapes coming from coastal regions and the Russian River Valley. Blackberry notes with a hint of spice.

La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($20). This is one of the best Pinot Noirs for the price. Cherry and cocoa aromas with a dash of spice. Lush cherry and plum flavors with surprisingly decent tannins.

Decoy Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2022 ($20).  From the makers of Duckhorn, this decent version has soft black cherry and strawberry notes with a dash of black tea.

Wine picks

Raeburn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 ($25).  This soft and juicy cabernet has lush plum and vanilla notes supported by fine tannins.

Stonestreet Estate Vineyards White Blend 2024 ($55). This unusual blend of Assyrtiko, Semillon, and Malvasia Bianca.  Wow, did we love it. The Greek grape and the Malvasia Bianca give lift to the aromas, while the Semillon provides a soft texture—delicious stone fruit flavors with a dash of spice.

Bodegas Ontanon Viura Vendimia Rioja 2021 ($50). This was a shocking – and pleasant – surprise. So very different and complex with a deceiving creamy texture and endless peach and pear notes with a good dash of toasted oak and spice. We’re buying if we can find it.

Appassionata Pinot Noir Allegro Willamette Valley Oregon 2019 ($95). Yes, this is expensive, but it is also very, very, good. Deep rich black cherry and raspberry notes with some spice elements and a bare hint of oak.

Bernardus Chardonnay Monterey County 2023 ($30). An interesting chardonnay that surrounds lively apple and tropical fruit notes in a toasty oak robe.

Kaiken Ultra Malbec Mendoza 2021 ($22-27). An excellent wine made with 100 percent malbec grown in high altitude vineyards at 4,000 feet. Lovely plum and cherry notes and 100 percent French oak. An outstanding value for the quality.