10 Beautiful California Pinot Noir Wines You Need to Try!
Pinot Noir, known as the "heartbreak grape," is tricky to work with - but not in the sun-kissed Golden State of America!
California Pinot Noir wines rank among the best globally, with some of them commanding a cult following.
Keep reading to discover some of the best Californian Pinot Noirs and what makes these California Pinot so unique.
Also, find out which Pinot Noir wine growing regions you should visit on your next California wine tour!
Further reading
- Invest in the finest of Pinot Noirs with tips from this insightful guide.
- Learn why Oregon Wine is often confused with Californian wine.
Top 10 California Pinot Noir Wines You Need to Try!
A California Pinot Noir is typically rich, fruity, and luscious.
If this is right up your alley, look at our top 10 California Pinot Noir wines:
- 2002 Marcassin 'Marcassin Vineyard' Pinot Noir
- 2002 Aubert Wines Reuling Vineyard Pinot Noir
- 1998 Marcassin Blue Slide Ridge Pinot Noir
- 2010 Peter Michael 'Ma Danseuse' Pinot Noir
- 2010 Peter Michael 'Clos du Ciel' Pinot Noir
- 1999 Occidental-Kistler Vineyards Bodega Headlands Vineyard 'Cuvee Elizabeth'
- 2004 Aubert Wines UV Vineyard Pinot Noir
- 1985 Calera Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir
- 2016 Littorai Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
- 2002 Marcassin Three Sisters Pinot Noir
1. 2002 Marcassin 'Marcassin Vineyard' Pinot Noir ($784)
The 2002 vintage is a delightful fruit-forward, medium-bodied red wine.
Licorice and cinnamon perfectly complement the sweet red cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, staying with you long after the glass is empty.
2. 2002 Aubert Wines Reuling Vineyard Pinot Noir ($775)
If you prefer a dry red wine with earthy, smoky aromas, look no further!
Characteristic red fruit notes of sour cherry and raspberry definitely appear, but dark fruits such as blackberries and blueberries create a beautifully balanced wine.
3. 1998 Marcassin Blue Slide Ridge Pinot Noir ($609)
This 1998 Marcassin Pinot contains red and dark fruit notes bringing a firm acidity to the wine.
A luscious bouquet of vanilla, caramel, chocolate, mint, licorice, and cinnamon balances the fruits, creating a rich wine that'll draw you in and keep you captivated.
4. 2010 Peter Michael 'Ma Danseuse' Pinot Noir ($589)
The ruby-red California Pinot, from the esteemed Peter Michael winery, invites you in with a rose and cherry cola nose. It has a delicately balanced palate of soft cherry and tart plums.
5. 2010 Peter Michael 'Clos du Ciel' Pinot Noir ($568)
If you like the heavy body of Cabernet Sauvignon but the smoothness of Pinot, you’ll cherish this bottle!
A dark-fruit-driven red with a long finish, this wine features an intense nose of blackberry, black cherry, and leather.
6. 1999 Occidental-Kistler Vineyards Bodega Headlands Vineyard 'Cuvee Elizabeth' ($495)
The Cuvee Elizabeth starts with a blackberry nose, with the dominant dark cherry palate giving way to pepper and cinnamon.
A prime example of New World winemaking - Syrah wine fans will enjoy this Pinot Noir wine!
7. 2004 Aubert Wines UV Vineyard Pinot Noir ($443)
The 2004 vintage highlights ethereal red fruit flavors coupled with baking spice, vanilla, and cola notes.
A bold red with good acidity, this Sonoma Pinot Noir tastes better the more it opens up.
8. 1985 Calera Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir ($437)
Calera's limestone-rich Pinot Noir vineyard produces a fine wine with moderate tannins and a refreshing minerality.
Delicate with gravitas, grippy yet supple, the 1985 Pinot is intoxicating in more ways than one!
9. 2016 Littorai Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($361)
One of the top wines in the world, this Sonoma red has a gorgeous palate of pomegranate and raspberry with a strong tannin feeling. Hints of smoke and oak make it pair beautifully with venison.
10. 2002 Marcassin Three Sisters Pinot Noir ($344)
Cherry dominates the Marcassin with just a hint of licorice and anise. A sensual dried flowers perfume makes this big red wine ideal for anniversary celebrations!
What Makes California Pinot Noir Unique?
The Pinot Noir grape is finicky - too much heat will “boil” the grape, while too much rain could encourage mold growth.
Now, you'd think the dry, Californian weather would be disastrous for the Pinot grape, but it excels in the state's cooler zones.
As the Pacific Ocean provides cooling breezes to the Central Coast, Sonoma Coast, and Southern Napa Valley, the grape thrives and produces some of the best wines in the world.
Let's explore some of these California Pinot wine regions.
California Pinot Noir Wine Growing Regions
The Grand Cru, a title reserved for some of the best French wines, finds an informal equivalent in the American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation.
While there are over 100 AVAs in California, we’ll look at the following six Pinot Noir AVAs.
1. Mendocino County
The county overall has a long coastline, with rugged mountains and a marine-like climate.
These cool climate Pinot Noir wines, especially from the Anderson Valley, are bold and tannic.
2. Sonoma County
Did you know that Pinot Noir is now the #1 grape variety in Sonoma, surpassing Cabernet Sauvignon?
Sonoma hosts some famous Pinot regions, like:
- The Russian River Valley with its overnight fog
- The Coast, where sunshine mixes with rain
- Fort Ross-Seaview, with a high elevation and steep terrain
- Carneros near the Bay, with low-lying hills
Pinots near the Bay are spicier, earthier around the Coast, and more red fruit and mineral-driven near the Russian River Valley.
3. Napa Valley
Carneros extends from Sonoma to Napa Valley, bringing the fruity, acidic, spicy Pinot with just the right amount of earthiness.
4. Central Coast
The Coast features the Santa Maria Valley, renowned for producing some of California's best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.
The higher elevations help the Pinot grape flourish, producing red-fruit-driven, spicier wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
In contrast, the Santa Lucia Highlands produce dark-fruit-driven, savory wines.
5. San Luis Obispo County
Further down south, you’ll find more full-bodied reds with a silky mouthfeel.
These Pinots are also darker while retaining their characteristic acidity and Californian earthiness.
6. Santa Barbara County
The Sta. Rita Hills Pinots showcase the best of Northern and Central California wines.
These Pinot Noir wines are lush, acidic, well-balanced, with just a hint of spice.
Time to Wine Down With a Pinot!
New World Pinot Noir is almost synonymous with California.
The Golden State remains a forerunner when it comes to innovative winemaking techniques, styles, and trends.
Having a California Pinot bottle in your collection is sure to impress any wine connoisseur!
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