30th Annual Best of The Best:
Pinot Noirs
QRW Tasting Team
The latest Pinot Noir vintages are finer than most critics claim. As always
the best producers continue to make the best Pinot Noir.
the best producers continue to make the best Pinot Noir.
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Five-Star Wines ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
Wines of extraordinary character and quality —
in a class by themselves.
2012 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Dairyman Vineyard (Russian River Valley), $40. Big, galumphing, black cherry, nutty oak and nutmeg flavors.
2012 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands), $40. Deliciously lush, round, pure, black fruit and spicy vanillin flavors.
2011 Donum Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, $72. Ripe, succulent, well-balanced, elegantly knit, raspberry and nutmeg flavors.
2011 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands, $100. Ripe, plush, elegantly knit black cherry and roasted nut flavors.
2011 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, $100. Classically appointed Pinot Noir with finely etched and well-focused Bing cherry and nutty oak flavors.
2010 Marimar Estate Dona Marguerita Vineyard, "Chico’s Run," Sonoma Coast, $48. Cherry and strawberry with soft spice-oak aromas. Burgundian in style, with woody-earthy feel. Soft and supple finish. Elegant.
2011 Williams Selyem Foss Vineyard (Russian River Valley), $55. Textbook stuff with ripe, zesty, nutty oak and wild red berry flavors.
Related articles:
• 29th Annual Best of The Best: California Chardonnay
• 29th Annual Best of The Best: Champagne Tasting
• 29th Annual Best of The Best: California Pinot Noir
• 29th Annual Best of The Best: California Zinfandel
