I have been accused of being a semi "Miles from Sideways" in my Pinot Noir snobbery. Unlike that character, I enjoy all wine grapes - when done well. The problem with Pinot Noir from California (and Burgundy for that matter) is that the better offerings are just of much higher quality and so they end being...well double or even triple the price of Pinots that may be decent to many others. I know that sounds, but lower quality PN can be watery and rustic without the fruit intensity. Producing higher quantities just dilutes it and so that is why the best ones are harder to get and are usually $40 and up.
I'm not saying that all higher priced Pinot Noirs are always better. Absolutely not. Still, I have never had a $10 Pinot that I would have again. Unlike Cabernet, Merlot and other varietals where I have had many sub $20 and under $15 where I did enjoy the wine and I would have again.
I like the specialist and the cults of great California Pinot Noir. Most of my favorites are mailing list allocations that I get and are well known to other cult pinot snoots. In no particular order and there are some offerings from these wineries that I may like or not like over another. A winery like Martinelli in California makes 12 or 15 different wines and vineyard offerings - including about 6 different Pinot Noirs. These are also wines I buy and own. While they aren't $20, they are not $100 either. Most are in the $35-$50 range. I know that is not cheap, but that is the sweet spot price range for really good California PN without getting out of hand price wise. It is what it is...
There are many others I'll miss but these are a few of the ones that I buy all I can get - for the most part.
Kosta Browne - Great concentrated Pinot Noir with several vineyard designate offerings. The single vineyard stuff is very hard to come by. I am on their mailer and barely get any. But the Russian River Valley Pinot and Sonoma are terrific and they are more available to mailer customers in California and outside the state. I look forward to every batch from these guys. Only issue is the price. It's getting a bit steep. The single Vineyards were north of $65 this year! So maybe it is ok I didn't get offered any....
Kutch - A well known success story to cult wine drinkers. Jamie Kutch dropped his career and life in New York City to move out to California and learn how to make his own brand of Pinot Noir. It makes sense to mention Kutch after Kosta Browne as he worked and studied at Kosta Browne to hone his craft. The result? A wonderfully crafted Russian Rivery Valley PN and a single vineyard offering. Just a great story. Wow huh? Not only starting your own successful winery, but moving cross country to learn and you make your own great wine with a popular customer base (and waiting list!) within 2-3 years. I don't get much from them just yet, but I take what I can get. "Hey Jamie - an extra 6 pack would be appreciated!" Not that I'm giving him this glowing review just to get more wine [wink] - but hey....
Rochioli - A terrific California Winery that produces numerous Pinot Noirs and a delicious Chardonnay. Another favorite of mine that is tough to acquire unless you are on their mailing list or are willing to pay a premium for Internet or auction buying.
Martinelli - Some higher end buyers have been laying off Martinelli in recent years as some feel they produce too much good - not great Pinots and the price is still at where you find higher quality offerings from other California producers. I kind of agree and disagree. They have one real stud Pinot, the Blue Slide Ridge but it is crazy expensive - like double some of the other ones mentioned above. Martinelli produces great Zinfandels and I love their Chardonnays. I am mentioning them here as they have many choices at different price ranges and I like that. They bundle their mailing list offerings which I don't like. "Bundling" is when a winery has set packages that you choose from and the different wine bottles are pre selected. Example: "Package 1 = 3 bottles of..., 1 bottle of ...." and you either take the package or not. Martinelli produces a lot of different wines, so I can usually find them on the open retail market much easier than the other California wineries listed here.
Kistler - A well known if not THE most famous California producer of Chardonnay. The Chardonnays are what they made their reputation on, and they are good, but I actually enjoy their Pinot Noirs more (one of my top favorites). I find the Chardonnays are SO full bodied and buttery that they overwhelm me. I am a person who doesn't drink Chards unless I am eating something complimentary to it (shell fish perhaps) and I find Kistler to be just a bit chewy. If you love full bodied whites, they are hard to beat. Their Pinots are so elegant and potent. I really love them and wish I could get more direct from them, but they are stingy with the pinot noir allocations. You can buy the Chardonnays by the case load. They make a lot - and most are north of $65. Not worth it for me.
Sea Smoke - I have gotten into these guys big the last few years. I am not on their winery mailer list but I am able to find them via the Internet. The Botella and the Southing are the Pinot Noirs I have had from them and they were terrific.
It has been an exciting last few years with California Pinot Noir and I have others I enjoy. Feel free to comment or add some of your favorite wineries and producers.
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