Michelle it sounds like you are where I was about 8 or so years ago. I fell off the deep end about 4 years ago.
The first memorable “really good wine” I had was a Burg that a friend brought to a nice dinner. I had the same inclination you’re having “I want to buy burgs” I quickly realized what others are telling you, $15 is REALLY tough for Pinot, especially Burgundy. Fortunately for me, I live in Oregon and decided I’d educate myself with Oregon’s wine first because it’s cheaper and easily accessible. Honestly the pinot grape itself demands a premium that’s difficult to get away from, even $15 is difficult to achieve in Oregon. There are “a few” but $20 will get you a LOT more. But at this point, if you’re really about exploring and can handle a few bad bottles, I say go for it. The only other alternative is to go for other grape varietals but that’s not as fun
So here are my “under 20” Oregon wines. I know this category well because I love pinot and I don’t love bringing a nice $40 bottle to a party where it won’t even be noticed or appreciated so I bring the $20 ones.
J. Christopher makes a pinot called “JJ”. It’s HANDS DOWN one of my favorite pinots out there for the “QPR” Quality to Price ratio. It’s a solid 89-90 point wine for me.
Elk Cove “Serene” Pinot Noir $16 locally for me. Another outstanding wine for the price.
White Rose “Black Thorn” $18 locally. A top producer making an extremely affordable wine. this might be a little more difficult to get but it’s sold to restaurants all over so being in CO I think you can get it into Denver.
I personally wouldn’t worry about vintage in Oregon because I don’t think there is a “bad vintage” in Oregon in the last 15 years, just bad wine. 2013s are considered an average or poor vintage and wine is generally more delicate, higher acid, lower alcohol and not as fruit.
2014s and 2012s will be the other end of the spectrum where they have more fruit, more alcohol and less acid. Generally speaking 2012 and 2014 are “safer” vintages. Everyone was making nice wine in 2012 honestly and they’re more accessible to someone trying out wine in my opinion.
There are other wines that you’ll see in the $15 and while they’re not my favorite, they’re certainly drinkable:
Erath entry level pinot $15
Acrobat pinot $16
Willamette Valley Vineyards $16
Those are easier to get but not as fun in my opinion. Still worth trying just to see what you like.
GOOD LUCK!