8th Annual
Pinot Noir Shootout & Summit

Bang for Your Buck Pinot Noir

Bang for Your Buck Wines
(Great Pinot Noir for $20 and under )

Scores: Women Judges
Scores: Women Judges Bang for Your Buck
Summary

= Love at First Sip

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs
Carneros, $20.00

(90)
Male: Toasty and yeasty. Lemon curd on the nose and again on the palate joined by green apple, baked apple, and lemon rind on the finish.

Hahn Estates 2006 Pinot Noir
Monterey, $20.00

30447 cases produced

(90)
Male: Soft strawberry fruit with hints of allspice and oranges lead to a soft, juicy palate with nice acidity. Good finish. This wine is still a little tight but should get even better with time.

= An Affair to Remember

Bogle 2007 Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, $13.00

30000 cases produced

(89)
Male: Cherry pie and a touch of vanilla on the nose and throughout the palate. Penetrating and persistent flavors. Silky, well made and showing good varietal definition.

Segura Viudas Aria Sparkling Pinot Noir
Cava, Spain, $12.00

(89)
Male: Red fruit aromas in the glass, raspberry and pomegranate, replicate on the palate. The mid-palate is lush with strawberry flavors hints of lemon highlight the cleansing acidity on the finish.

Cono Sur 2008 Visión 68 Old Vine Vineyard Pinot Noir
Colchagua Valley, $15.00

30000 cases produced

(88)
Male: Yummy, ripe Pinot. Balanced with a long lively finish. Delicious!

Freixenet Elyssia Brut Sparkling
Cava, Spain, $18.00

(88)
Male: Sweet blood orange and green apple aromas. The palate is heavy and full with raspberry and pomegranate flavors.

Rodney Strong Vineyards 2008 Russian River Valley, Estate Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, $20.00

65000 cases produced

(88)
Male: Cherry and strawberry on the elegant nose. Opens to darker fruit flavors accented by pine, earth, and forest floor notes. Balanced.

Ciccone 2007 Estate Bottled and Produced Suttons Bay, Michigan Pinot Noir
Leelanau Peninsula, $18.00

1500 cases produced

(87)
Male: Simple yet pleasant aromatics. Opened with time to reveal light cherry and raspberry fruit with hints of mushroom and forest floor notes.

Fish Eye 2009 Pinot Noir
South East Australia, $7.00

(87)
Male: Pine and pomegranate aromas with light cherry and raspberry flavors. Nicely balanced.

Kenwood Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, $18.00

36715 cases produced

(87)
Male: Generous aromas of cherry cream pie come through on the palate along with some savory umami characteristics. Some nice, warm spice accent the long finish.

Valley of the Moon Winery 2008 Pinot Noir
Carneros, $20.00

4440 cases produced

(87)
Male: Dark raspberry and dark cherry aromas are delivered unto the succulent palate. Rich but not domineering.

Aqua Pumpkin 2007 Pinot Noir
Santa Barbara County, $18.00

1404 cases produced

(86)
Male: Earthy, dark cherry, cedar, and leather overtones on the nose. Smoky tones on the masculine palate - hints of prune and cinnamon wrapping up with sour cherry flavors. "Good promise but not one of my favorites."

Casa Larga Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir
Finger Lakes, $12.99

1000 cases produced

(86)
Male: Clear garnet in color. The aromas and flavors of sweet candied cherry and light strawberry are pleasant. Although the wine is slightly cloying it has good structure, weight and texture.

= Will Provide Fond Memories

Erath 2008 Pinot Noir
Oregon, $19.00

75000 cases produced

(85)
Male: The nose of mostly fresh strawberries is pleasant and consistent with the palate of strawberry and rhubarb flavors.

MacMurray Ranch 2007 Pinot Noir
Central Coast, $20.00

92000 cases produced

(85)
Male: Brambly black fruit aromatic. The lively palate shows black cherry with earth and cedar notes.

Mahoney Vineyards 2007 All Estate Pinot Noir
Carneros, $20.00

3500 cases produced

(85)
Male: Cherry and cassis aromas evolve to sweet cherry and blueberry flavors with a hint of greenery. The palate is uneven at present.