The Prime Ten American Pinots from the Seventh Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir

As I discussed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, I tasted 51 American Pinot Noirs a few weekends in the past. With the assistance of three different wine writers right here in Houston, I used to be in a position to style by means of the wines blind, which signifies that I didn’t know which wine was ever in my glass (nicely, my 4 glasses, as I tasted that many at a time).

Right this moment, I’m additionally together with what I contemplate to be the highest wines from the endeavor, that are included after the final 11 tasting notes, beneath.

2022 La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA: Retail $28. Very Accountable Bottle (471; 16.6oz). A basic nostril of ripe black cherry and a contact of earth, great. The palate doesn’t disappoint both. Wealthy, voluptuous, silky, clean. Wonderful. 92 Factors.

2022 Hartford / Hartford Courtroom Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $35. Heavy Bottle (606g; 21.3oz). One other attractive nostril, however a bit extra delicate and somewhat darker. A stunning palate with nice fruit, and a balancing tartness, with a long-lasting end. Wonderful. 92 Factors.

2022 Exprimere Pinot Noir Mia Peake Ranch Winery, Sta. Rita Hills, CA: Retail $100. Extra of an earthy nostril right here however there’s additionally some beautiful fruit. Tremendous wealthy on the palate with oodles of fruit, stopping in need of being excessive, with a number of layers of depth and a few intrigue. Excellent. 94 Factors.

2021 Left Coast Property Pinot Noir Latitude 45, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $55. Heavy Bottle (623g; 21.9oz). Tremendous stemmy on the nostril, with loads of earth and black fruit (cassis, blackberry). The palate has extra of that black fruit however the earthiness and a savory side actually outline the wine. Wonderful. 90 Factors.

2021 Freeman Pinot Noir, West Sonoma Coast, CA: Retail $48. Delicate, even demure on the nostril however that is definitely on the basic facet of pinot with pink berry fruit and an earthy element. The palate is wonderful, fruity, balanced, with size. The most effective wines thus far. Excellent. 95 Factors.

2022 Merriam Vineyards Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $38. Fruity and darkish and a bit funky, however the palate is fruity, sure, however on the darkish facet with some good acidity and anise. Very good. Excellent. 93 Factors.

2022 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Avant Garde, Carneros, CA: Retail $36. One other Whoa. Holy cow. A improbable nostril with a great deal of pink fruit. The palate is nothing in need of wonderful. Checks all of the packing containers and excels in all of them. Excellent. 96 Factors.

2022 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $30. A tad on the darkish facet once more with black cherry fruit and earth. Yum. Luscious fruit and improbable from begin to end. Whoa. Excellent. 94 Factors.

2022 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, CA: Retail $56. Incredible nostril of wealthy cherry and earth. The palate is wealthy, layered, and phenomenal. Excellent. 95 Factors.

2021 Freeman Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $48. Extra on the savory facet with cranberry, rhubarb, and tomato leaf. Wealthy, fruity, darkish, and beautiful on the palate. Traditional California Pinot. Excellent. 93 Factors.

2022 Merriam Vineyards Pinot Noir Eastside Property, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $56. Heavy Bottle (618g; 21.8oz). Cherry cola on the nostril, nearly to a Jolly Rancher vibe. With somewhat warmth. Large, fruity, and a bit of warmth. Very nice fruit, however a tad out of steadiness. Very Good. 89 Factors.

Common Observations

• American Pinots look like getting darker. This isn’t primarily based on something apart from notion, however few of the 51 wines I might classify as “gentle” in shade. Is that this a results of local weather change? Change in buyer demand? Winemaker choice?
• There’s loads of worth to be discovered at lower cost factors. I’ve lengthy acknowledged that it appears to be very troublesome to provide top-quality Pinot beneath round $30. However as soon as once more, producers resembling Kendall Jackson (which makes Siduri,  Murphy Goode,, and La Crema along with their eponymous label) proceed to make nice Pinots at or beneath that $30 threshold.
• General, I might additionally say that the general high quality of American Pinot Noir continues to enhance. That is the Seventh Annual Blind Tasting and the standard has continued to go up annually.
• I might think about that few die-hard Pinot-philes would come with Rodney Sturdy on their record of high American Pinot Noir producers, however yearly Rodney Sturdy (and its different model, Davis Bynum), persistently finds itself within the high wines of the tasting.

Prime Wines 

The duty I offered the opposite writers on the tasting was somewhat easy: give me an inventory of the “high wines.” I didn’t ask for a minimal or a most, simply the “high wines.” 

Three wines appeared on all lists:

• 2021 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($75)
• 2022 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir Pinot de Ville ($69)
• 2022 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Avant Garde ($36)

And there have been one other seven wines that appeared on a number of lists:

• 2021 Stephen Ross Pinot Noir Edna Valley ($38)
• 2022 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Property ($48)
• 2023 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir Winery Eleven ($80)
• 2022 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch ($40)
• 2022 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley ($60)
• 2022 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($28)
• 2022 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills ($56)

As for my very own “high wines”? Whoa. It was actually troublesome to decide on, however right here they’re:

Tier One (96 Factors)

• 2021 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($75)
• 2022 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir Pinot de Ville ($69)
• 2022 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Avant Garde ($36)
• 2023 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir Winery Eleven ($80)

Tier Two (95 Factors)

• 2021 Stephen Ross Pinot Noir Edna Valley ($38)
• 2022 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir Putnam Winery ($75)
• 2022 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Property ($48)
• 2022 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch ($40)
• 2022 Sangiacomo Household Wines Pinot Noir Block 11 ($75)
• 2021 Freeman Pinot Noir West Sonoma Coast ($48)
• 2022 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills ($56)

Tier Three (94 Factors)

• 2022 Brooks Pinot Noir Cahiers ($60)
• 2022 Siduri Pinot Noir Rosella’s Winery ($75)
• 2022 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir The Sly One ($85)
• 2022 Sangiacomo Wines Pinot Noir Roberts Street Winery ($75)
• 2022 Exprimere Pinot Noir Mia Peake Ranch Winery ($100)
• 2022 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ($40)

Many because of my companions in crime: Katrina René (the Corkscrew Concierge), and Rebecca Castillo (MyVinoRules) for his or her assist and experience!

Coming in December: Tasting American Glowing wines!