PINOT NOIR
95 Madson 2020 Toyon Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains). In this wine, snappy aromas of raspberry are decorated in appealing and interestingly funky layers of tar, potpourri and game. There’s a compelling stony streak to the palate, which provides a mineral edge to the black-raspberry jam and ripe plum flavors. Light gamy flavors arise on the finish. —M.K.
abv: 12.5% Price: $60
95 Masút 2020 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (Eagle Peak). For full review see page 114. Cellar Selection.
abv: 14.3% Price: $45
95 Walt 2020 Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills). This is a crowd-pleasing style of Pinot Noir, starting with juicy aromas of black raspberry, boysenberry, rose petal, lilac and toasty oak, equally fresh and rich. It’s hedonistically satisfying on the palate, with strawberry, oak and latte flavors that persist long into the finish. —M.K.
abv: 14.2% Price: $85
95 Wayfarer 2019 Mother Rock Estate Grown Pinot Noir (Fort Ross-Seaview). Lush in mouthfeel, this wine is velvety from start to finish, with undeniable power and intensity. Dark fruit, fig and cacao nib play around a youthful grip of lengthy tannin and structure that begs to age further in bottle. Enjoy best from 2029–2034. Cellar Selection. —V.B.
abv: 14.3% Price: $NA
95 Wayfarer 2019 Wayfarer Vineyard Pinot Noir (Fort Ross-Seaview). Outstanding in muscular, dark fruit tones, this wine offers a substantial length and breadth of complexity. Weighty, it expands on the palate to reveal firm tannins and powerful lushness. The grapes were grown at a 1,100-foot elevation in cool, coastal conditions. —V.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $90
94 Brewer-Clifton 2020 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills). Ripe cherry aromas with underlying hints of herb and mace are fresh and fun on the nose of this appellation expression. The delicious palate offers baked strawberry compote, dark mint cream and concentrated hibiscus flavors. —M.K.
abv: 14.5% Price: $40
94 Brewer-Clifton 2020 3D Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills). This brand’s familiarly juicy red-fruit aromas of candied pomegranate, red cherry and strawberry lure the nose deep into this bottling, which also offers red spice and light herb. The palate is fresh, fun and delightful, with snappy red-fruit flavors as well as more complex notes of lemon rind and rooibos tea. —M.K.
abv: 14.5% Price: $75
94 Castello di Amorosa 2019 Morning Dew Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley). For full review see page 114.
abv: 13.6% Price: $65
94 Emeritus 2018 La Combette Hallberg Ranch Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley). Spicy, fresh and complex, this textured and intriguing wine is named after a triangular block of the vineyard planted to a heritage Pinot Noir selection. Rich and intense, it remains crisp and lively in the glass, stippled in earth, oak and savory spice. —V.B.
abv: 13.8% Price: $110
94 Migration 2020 Single Vineyard Series Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills). Though touted as a “Single Vineyard Series,” this actually comes from two: Sanford & Benedict and La Rinconada. They work together, offering raspberry, dusty herb and clay-laced earth aromas on the nose. The palate is firm and tense, with fresh red fruit, leather and dark herb flavors. —M.K.
abv: 13.9% Price: $72
94 Mount Eden Vineyards 2019 The Tanaka Project Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains). For full review see page 115. Editors’ Choice.
abv: 14% Price: $95
94 Patz & Hall 2019 Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast). Woody notes lie beneath a core of dark cherry in this broodingly dense, concentrated wine from the great site. Fluffy texture gives way to an earthy note of crushed rock, adding to the length and breath of the wine. —V.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $70
94 Stephen Ross 2019 Arete Stone Corral Vineyard Pinot Noir (Edna Valley). This two-barrel bottling is a bold expression of Pinot Noir from a producer usually focused on restraint and elegance. Aromas of dark raspberry, black cherry, woodspice and cola fire up the nose. The palate lands with power and delicious ripeness, offering black cherry and ample baking spice, with the region’s telltale acidity that pushes through the finish. —M.K.
abv: 13.5% Price: $80
94 Stephen Ross 2019 Stone Corral Vineyard Pinot Noir (Edna Valley). Complexity shows throughout this bottling that’s bound to grow even more layered in the cellar. Aromas of dark cherry, star anise, cardamom pod and minty loam lead into well-integrated flavors of red and brown spice, dusty herb and more cherry. Drink now–2035. Cellar Selection. —M.K.
abv: 13.5% Price: $68
Rich and ripe on the nose, this appellation blend is bold with hearty and fresh aromas of black cherry and baked boysenberry. Smoothly polished tannins wrap around lovely flavors of cherry compote,
