Top 2012 Pinot Noir Results

Extra! Extra! Read all about the great Pinot Noir wines I discovered and covered this year!! Wow, what a year for Pinots. I started this adventure in April and just finished with my trip to the Wine Blogger’s Conference in Portland, Oregon. It was nice to wrap up this post in the heart of Oregon Pinot country. Below, I am going to present you with some really terrific Pinot Noir selections. The only down side is, you will find very few bargains among the highest scoring wines. Excellent and very good Pinot Noirs cost a lot—that is just how it is. The good news is that these New World offerings still cost less than many offering of similar quality from Burgundy. They are also well below the cost of many California cult Cabernets.

Our top two Pinot Noirs both come from one of the most talented Pinot Noir producers in the US, Merry Edwards. Her 2009 offerings were all at the top of their game. The best one led our tastings this year. This Pinot scored 97 points and is the highest scoring wine we have covered so far this year. The 2009 Merry Edwards “Meredith Estate” Pinot Noir for $57 is smooth and sensational. The flavor profile is an absolutely delicious blackberry and mild black-raspberry blend. I also detected some nicely integrated oak and hints of black plum. It finishes with elegant fine tannins, that drift away nicely. This Pinot is the cream of the crop this year. Be sure to share it with friends!

Not to be completely outdone, our second place Pinot is also from Merry Edwards. The 2009 “Olivet Lane” Pinot Noir for $60 was awarded 94 points. This excellent option is fruit-forward, nicely balanced, smooth, and also very elegant. I loved its delicious plum flavors with notes of gently integrated old oak. I also detected hints black pepper and anise. It finishes with fine, yet slightly sticky tannins. Pair this classy Pinot with a slow cooked pork tenderloin dinner.

Our next grouping is the 93 pointers. These six wines are all on the cusp of Excellence. Some might even be there right now for you. No matter what the score is, these six Pinots are very impressive.

We start with the 2009 Evening Land “Seven Spring Vineyard” Pinot Noir for $45. This Oregon Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity Hills is very impressive and was my favorite at a mini-tasting of Oregon Pinots at the Wine Blogger’s Conference. It opens with an attractive mild blueberry bouquet with a hint of oak. I found it to be medium-bodied and smooth as silk. I loved its very tasty mild red currant flavors with hints of pomegranate and gently-infused old oak. It is truly a yummy Pinot and would pair perfectly with grilled mahi mahi.

We next travel down to the Anderson Valley in California for a Pinot that I could not get enough of. The 2009 Navarro Vineyards “Deep End Blend” Pinot Noir for $49 was terrific. It is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and savory. I loved its delicious black cherry and cola flavors with hints of mild vanilla oak and a touch of plum. It finishes with friendly fine tannins that drift away nicely. This is the best Deep End Blend that I can remember and it will not last long when you share it with your friends. I suggested pouring a big glass, sitting back and just enjoy the ride.

For our next 93 pointer we return to the Eola-Amity Hills up in Oregon to discover the 2009 Cristom “Marjorie Vineyard” Pinot Noir for $50. This like the Evening Land made a very good impression on me. It was my favorite Pinot from the Cristom portfolio this year. It is medium-bodied, very well balanced, and smooth. I really liked its very tasty strawberry flavors with nicely integrated plum and gentle oak. I also detected a hint in red cherry and cinnamon spice as well. This Pinot is pretty complex. I would serve it with a thyme-seasoned pork tenderloin.

Merry Edwards stays near the top with one of my favorites that that she makes. The 2009 “Coopersmith” Pinot Noir for $60 is consistently very good. It is a full-bodied Pinot that is also very nicely balanced, rich and smooth. The flavor profile is a delectable ripe black plum with some extracted blackberry notes and a hint of black cherry. This solid and sturdy Pinot would be an excellent choice to pair with roasted duck breast.

Our next 93 pointer is from Gary Farrell and his Alysian project. His 2009 “Floodgate Vineyard Origins” Pinot Noir for $55 is really refined and Very Good. It is medium-bodied, super balanced, very smooth and suave. I loved its very tasty mild plum flavors with notes of gentle strawberry and a hint of oak and faint sarsaparilla. This Pinot Noir is very refined and extremely food-friendly. I would love to have this Pinot with my friend, Stuart’s steak treats. Yum!

We close out our 93 pointers with the 2009 Donum “Carneros Estate Grown” Pinot Noir which comes in at $65. This very dark ruby colored Pinot opens with an inviting smoky vanilla oak and black raspberry bouquet. It is medium-bodied and very juicy with spicy black raspberry flavors with notes of plum and old oak. I also detected some black pepper and black cherry. It finishes dry and its refined fine tannins drift away slowly. It’s another terrific Pinot to pair with a slow cooked pork tenderloin.

Because we are recommending so many Pinots this year, I will give you a quick hit and taste of our remaining recommendations. For a full review of each wine, click on the link for the complete details. Let’s start with our 92 and 91 pointers.

Breggo 2010 Pinot Noir “Anderson Valley” (CA) $38 (92)
This Pinot from Breggo is very impressive. It opens with a very inviting strawberry bouquet. It is very smooth and silky. I loved its yummy black cherry flavors with notes of cola and strawberry. It finishes dry and its fine tannins drift away nicely. This Pinot would be a perfect wine to pair with grilled salmon.

Stemmler 2009 Pinot Noir “Ferguson Block” (Carneros, CA) $44 (92)
This Pinot is medium-bodied, slightly acidic, silky, and savory. It displays very tasty mild black cherry flavors with hints of black-raspberry, plum, black pepper, and gentle oak. It would be a perfect choice to pair with cherry amaretto chicken.

La Follette 2009 Pinot Noir “Manchester Ridge Vineyard” (Mendocino Ridge, CA) $50 (92)
I really like Pinots from this vineyard. This one is medium-bodied, juicy and savory with delicious red currant and plum flavors. It also displayed beautifully integrated old oak and a dash of black pepper and blueberry. This fruit bomb of a Pinot would be perfect with thyme-seasoned pork tenderloin.

Cristom 2009 Pinot Noir “Louise Vineyard” (Eola-Amity Hills) $50 (92)
This Pinot was my second favorite Pinot from Cristom. It is slightly acidic, suave, and mouthwatering. It displays mild black-raspberry and plum flavors with notes of black pepper, spice and minerality throughout. It is very food-friendly and elegant enough to pair perfectly with grilled cedar plank salmon.

Domaine Drouhin 2008 Pinot Noir “Laurene” (Dundee Hills, OR) $65 (92)
This impressive Pinot Noir is medium-bodied, slightly acidic, savory and juicy. I enjoyed its very tasty ripe black plum flavors with nicely integrated old oak with a touch of black-raspberry and black pepper. Another option to consider for a thyme-seasoned pork tenderloin.

Domaine Serene 2008 Pinot Noir “Evenstad Reserve” (Willlamette Valley, OR) $65 (92)
This Pinot is very impressive. It has a fragrant and inviting black cherry and cola bouquet. It is very well balanced and smooth. I really like its tasty mild black currant flavors with hints of old oak and black plum. Try it with grilled salmon.

De Ponte 2009 Pinot Noir “Estate” (Dundee Hills, OR) $70 (92)
This “Estate” level Pinot Noir from the Dundee Hills is medium-bodied, very well balanced and super smooth. I loved its tasty blueberry and plum flavors This really nice Pinot would pair well with veal medallions.

Archery Summit 2009 Pinot Noir “Red Hill Estate” (Dundee Hills, OR) $85 (92)
Another impressive Pinot from the Dundee Hills is this offering from Archery Summit. It has mineral-infused red raspberry and black plum flavors with notes of black pepper and hints of blueberry. This one shows nice length as its acidity and fruit flavors linger well after the wine is gone.

Hamilton Russell 2010 Pinot Noir “Hemel en Aarde” (South Africa) $44  (91)
This Pinot Noir from South Africa is consistently the leading Pinot from that country. The 2010 displays very tasty smoky oak-infused plum flavors with a hint of mild anise. I would pair this Old-World styled Pinot with sage and thyme-seasoned pork tenderloin.

Thistle 2009 Pinot Noir “Dundee Hills” (Oregon) $30 (91)
This 91 pointer is an absolute steal at $30. It is well balanced and smooth as silk. I loved its delicious gentle plum flavors with hints of spice and blueberry. This elegant Pinot calls for a second glass and would be perfect with filet mignon with sautéed wild mushrooms

Stemmler 2009 Pinot Noir “Estate Grown” (Carneros, CA) $42 (91)
If you love a fruit bomb styled Pinot, you are going to love this one from Stemmler. It is very smooth, savory and fruit-forward with concentrated ripe blackberry and plum flavors. I also detected notes of black currant jam, nicely integrated oak and hints of minerality throughout. This Pinot is pretty complex and very interesting.

Kosta Browne 2009 Pinot Noir “Sonoma Coast” (CA) $52 (91)
Kosta Browne hits our list with medium-bodied and silky smooth offering from the Sonoma Coast. This offering displays tasty gentle plum flavors with hints of black raspberry, spice and black pepper. Briefly decant this wine and pair it with a rosemary and thyme-seasoned pork tenderloin.

Winderlea 2009 Pinot Noir “Winderlea Vineyard” (Dundee Hills, OR) $54 (91)
This was my favorite Pinot from Winderlea. It was nicely balanced and very fruit forward. Those flavors were a tasty spicy plum with notes of black pepper and some hints of red beet and black raspberry. It would pair well with smoked salmon.

Lenne 2010 Pinot Noir “Karen’s Pommard” (Yamhill-Carlton, OR) $55 (91)
This one comes from a new producer for me. It was medium-bodied, smooth and approachable. The flavor profile is a tasty cola and gentle plum blend with a hint of black cherry and very mild old oak. I would serve this very elegant Pinot with grilled red snapper.

Chehalem 2009 Pinot Noir “Reserve Ridgecrest Vineyards” (Ribbon Ridge, OR ) $59 (91)
This Pinot from Chehalem is rather refined. This wine is very food-friendly. It has very tasty plum and mild black-raspberry flavors with a hint of beet and very mild old oak in the background. It is a perfect match with grilled salmon.

J Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir “Nicole’s Vineyard” (Russian River Valley, CA) $60 (91)
This Pinot from J was tied for first place in our big blind tasting. It is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and smooth. It has pleasant black cherry flavors with hints of coffee, vanilla oak and plum. The panel suggested pairing this Very Good Pinot with grilled striped bass or grouper with marinated with olive oil and sea salt.

Alysian 2009 Pinot Noir “Rochioli Vineyard Edgewater” (Russian River Valley, CA) $65 (91)
This Pinot was the other first place finisher in our first big blind Pinot tasting. It is medium-bodied, balanced, juicy and easy to enjoy. The panel really enjoyed its tasty plum flavors with notes of red cherry and a hint of minerality. They suggested pairing it with roast chicken with a balsamic glaze.

Alysian 2009 Pinot Noir “Allen-Rochioli Blocks” (Russian River Valley, CA) $65 (91)
Another 91 pointer from Alysian is the Allen-Rochioli Blocks offering. This Pinot is balanced and loaded with fruit flavors. Those fruit flavors are ripe boysenberry with notes plum and blackberry jam. This Pinot will appeal to readers who love their Zins and big Aussie reds. Pair it with roast duck breast.

Adelsheim 2009 Pinot Noir “Brian Creek Vineyard” (Chehalem Mountains, OR) $75 (91)
This Pinot is perfect for game food. It is medium-bodied, well balanced, and graceful with mild strawberry flavors. I also detected notes of gentle blueberry, red raspberry and mild oak in the background. It would be perfect with squab, pheasant and rabbit.

Our 90 Pointers
Siduri 2009 Pinot Noir “Sta Rita Hills” (CA) $29 (90)
This Pinot from Siduri turned out to be one of the best deals in our first big blind tasting. The panel suggested pairing this very nice Pinot with homemade meatloaf with bacon strips on top or a thick cut of rare tuna steak.

Van Duzer 2010 Pinot Noir “Estate” (Willamette Valley, OR) $30 (90)
This 2010 Pinot from Oregon is approachable and very easy to drink. I enjoyed is tasty mild plum flavors with hints of mild minerality and light oak. It finishes dry and its fine tannins drift away nicely over a long period of time.

Gundlach Bundschu 2009 Pinot Noir “Estate Vineyard” (Sonoma Coast, CA) $34 (90)
This Pinot Noir displays very tasty black currant flavors with nicely integrated oak. The panel also detected notes of black cherry and hints of black pepper and anise. The panel suggested pairing with slow cooked beef brisket.

Merryvale 2010 Pinot Noir “Carneros” (CA) $35 (90)
This ruby Pinot is medium-bodied, a tad acidic and displays lots of juicy fruit. The flavor profile is a pleasant blend of mild red currant and gentle red raspberry with a hint of pomegranate and mild oak.

Dion 2009 Pinot Noir “Winemakers Reserve” (Chehalem Mountain, OR) $35 (90)
This Oregon Pinot Noir from Dion is very good. It is medium-bodied, balanced, smooth and approachable. The flavor profile is a tasty black plum with hints of black pepper and mild old oak. Hurry, there is not much of it.

Dutton Goldfield 2010 Pinot Noir “Dutton Ranch” (Russian River Valley, CA) $38 (90)
This Pinot opens with an attractive plum bouquet with notes of black raspberry. It is medium-bodied, balanced, and juicy with tasty black-raspberry flavors with notes of red currant and plum. Pair it with grilled salmon.

Breggo 2009 Pinot Noir “Anderson Valley” (CA) $38 (90)
This was my first experience covering Breggo. It is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and a very easy to drink Pinot. I enjoyed its mild old oak-infused strawberry flavors with hints of rhubarb and a dash of black pepper.

Greywacke 2010 Pinot Noir (Marlborough, NZ) $39 (90)
This elegant New Zealand Pinot Noir is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and smooth. The flavor profile is a plum and cola blend with nicely integrated oak and a hint of blueberry. The panel suggested chicken marsala.

V Sattui 2010 Pinot Noir “Henry Ranch” (Carneros, CA) $39 (90)
This Pinot is nicely balanced, smooth and very easy to drink. I really liked its tasty black cherry flavors with nicely integrated mild vanilla oak. I also detected some juicy ripe plum and a hint of cola and spice as well.

La Follette 2009 Pinot Noir “Van der Kamp Vineyard” (Sonoma Mountain, CA) $40 (90)
This Pinot is nicely balanced, lush, and round. The flavor profile is plum with notes of cherry and hints of mild oak, strawberry, and anise. Pair with pork chops with apple chutney or lamb chops with a mint sauce.

Robert Stemmler 2009 Pinot Noir “Nugent Vineyard” (Russian River Valley, CA) $42 (90)
Another winner from Stemmler. This one has a very fragrant black cherry, cedar, plum and light strawberry bouquet. It is lush and fruit forward with ripe plum flavors and  notes of black raspberry, acai, tea, light clove, and old oak.

Merry Edwards 2009 Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley” (CA) $42 (90)
This full-bodied Pinot Noir is balanced and juicy. The flavor profile is a rich black raspberry jam with notes of red beet and old oak. I also detected a hint of red cherry. I would pair this wine with grilled salmon.

Patz & Hall 2010 Pinot Noir “Sonoma Coast” (CA) $45 (90)
This Pinot is medium-bodied, well balanced, juicy and really smooth. It displays ripe plum and gentle blackberry flavors with a hint of strawberry licorice and touch of oak in the background. Very food-friendly.

Chehalem 2009 Pinot Noir “Ridgecrest” (Ribbon Ridge, OR) $48 (90)
This Oregon Pinot is medium-bodied, balanced, and savory. It has tasty mild black-raspberry flavors with a gentle mineral-infused streak throughout. It also displays hints of old oak, plum and a touch of black currant.

Cristom 2009 Pinot Noir “Jesse Vineyard” (Eola-Amity Hills, OR) $50 (90)
This Pinot opens with smoky campfire-like bouquet with a hint of black cherry. It is well-balanced, refined and old school. Its flavors are a smoky oak-influenced black-raspberry with notes of plum and black tea.

Alysian 2009 Pinot Noir “Floodgate Vineyard Rock Hill” (Russian River Valley, CA) $50 (90)
This Pinot Noir is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and smooth. I enjoyed its gentle black plum and strawberry flavors with notes of cedar and a hint of red raspberry and dark chocolate. Pair with pepper encrusted tuna.

Handley 2009 Pinot Noir “RSM Vineyard” (Anderson Valley, CA) $52 (90)
This Pinot is very smooth, delicate, and easy going. The panel enjoyed its very tasty black cherry flavors with nicely integrated vanilla oak and hints of red currant and cranberry. Perfect for a turkey dinner with cranberry.

Alysian 2009 Pinot Noir “Hallberg Vineyards Crossroads” (Russian River Valley, CA) $55 (90)
This elegant Pinot is medium-bodied, balanced, and smooth. The flavor profile is a mild blackberry with hints of black cherry, gentle oak and a touch of minerality. It finishes dry, with subtle fine tannins.

Merry Edwards 2009 Pinot Noir “Klopp Ranch” (Russian River Valley, CA) $57 (90)
This Pinot is full-bodied, well-balanced, and very rich for a Pinot. The flavor profile is an impressive plum with notes of red currant and a hint of oak and cranberry. The panel felt this would be a good match with a ribeye.

J Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir “Robert Thomas Vineyard” (Russian River Valley, CA) $60 (90)
This Pinot Noir is medium-bodied, balanced, and graceful. It displays mild plum and black cherry flavors with a gentle streak of minerality throughout. I also detected a touch of old oak as well. Pair with pork tenderloin.

Darioush 2009 Pinot Noir “Signature” (Russian River Valley, CA) $60 (90)
This Pinot from Darioush shows off the gentle side of Pinot. It is medium-bodied, balanced, and smooth. The flavor profile is black cherry with hints of plum and vanilla oak. It is elegant and pair well with grilled salmon.

Patz and Hall 2009 Pinot Noir “Hyde Vineyard” (Carneros, CA) $65 (90)
This Pinot is medium-bodied, balanced, and juicy. The flavor profile is black raspberry with notes of blueberry and plum. I also detected some old oak and black pepper. It would pair well with beef bourguignon.

Our 89 Point Pinots
Vavasour 2009 Pinot Noir (Awatere Valley, New Zealand) $17 (89)
Duckhorn 2010 Pinot Noir “Decoy” (Sonoma County) $22 (89)
Cambria 2009 Pinot Noir “Julia’s Vineyard” (Santa Maria Valley, CA) $25 (89)
Saint Clair 2010 Pinot Noir “Pioneer Block 16” (Awatere Valley, NZ) $30 (89)
Sebastiani 2009 Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley” (California) $30 (89)
Sokol Blosser 2009 Pinot Noir “Dundee Hills” (Oregon) $38 (89)
Monticello Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir “Estate Grown” (Oak Knoll, CA ) $38 (89)
Merriam Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley” (CA) $40 (89)
La Crema 2010 Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley” (California) $40 (89)
Alysian 2009 Pinot Noir “Russian River Selection” (CA) $40 (89)
Ferrari Carano 2009 Pinot Noir “Sky High Ranch” (Mendocino Ridge, CA) $42 (89)

Our 88 and 87 Point Pinots
Saint Clair 2010 Pinot Noir “Vicar’s Choice” (Marlborough, NZ) $16 (88)
Babich 2009 Pinot Noir “Marlborough” (New Zealand) $18 (88)
Wine by Joe 2009 Pinot Noir “Really Good” (Oregon) $19 (88)
Saint Clair 2009 Pinot Noir “Marlborough” (New Zealand) $20 (88)
V Sattui 2010 Pinot Noir “Sattui Family” (California) $30 (88)
Navarro Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir “Anderson Valley” (CA) (88)
Santa Barbara Winery 2009 Pinot Noir “Sta Rita Hills” (CA) $25 (88)
Ponzi 2010 Pinot Noir “Tavola” (Willamette Valley, Oregon) $25 (88)
Handley 2009 Pinot Noir “Mendocino County” (CA) $25 (88)
Lafond 2009 Pinot Noir “SRH” (Sta Rita Hills, CA) $27 (88)
Siduri 2010 Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley” (CA) $30 (88)
Handley 2009 Pinot Noir “Anderson Valley” (CA) $32 (88)
Erath 2009 Pinot Noir “Estate Selection” (Willamette Valley, OR) $34 (88)
Merry Edwards 2009 Pinot Noir “Sonoma Coast” (CA) $36 (88)
Chehalem 2009 Pinot Noir “Stoller” (Dundee Hills, OR) $48 (88)
Cristom 2009 Pinot Noir “Eileen Vineyard” (Eola Amity Hills) $50 (88)
Kendall Jackson 2010 Pinot Noir “Vintner’s Reserve” (California) $20  (87)

We hope you enjoy exploring these Pinot Noirs as much as we did.  I can’t wait to start all over again next April.  Please share your favorite Pinots with the group by commenting below.  We look forward to reading your comments. Cheers! – Ken