Current releases that don’t require years of aging
Bottles you open without a special occasion
But in general, I’d just like to know which Pinot Noir you like to drink on a (very) regular basis, whether old world or new, northern hemisphere or southern.
I’m new to the hobby and looking for something to hold me over while I build my cellar. Looking forward to hearing about your favorites and what keeps you coming back to them.
Vincent
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard (Las Nietas is about $30 and available at Binny’s Chicago)
Silver Mountain (SCM) which can be found under $25 from time to time
Arterberry Maresh Dundee Hills for me. Used to be mid-$20s, now can be found for right around $30. It’s an easy choice when looking for a mid-week pinot.
I’m not trying to be difficult, but I have several questions. Can you give us a general price range (or maybe an approximate max price)?. Also, when you say “widely available” does that mean available in your area or does that include wines that are easy to find online that can be shipped? I ask because I live in Oregon where we have a ton of choices where the wines are consistent values from year to year, drink well on release, are delicious but are still affordable daily drinkers. But not all of those wines are distributed nationally. But there are a lot of great shops and producers here who can get the wines easily provided you want to ship them. So knowing if you’re looking to buy them locally or are willing to have them shipped makes it easier to recommend things.
Seems OR is doing a nice job as far as domestic PN goes at the entry level. Recently had the Goodfellow that I picked up for $20 on a slight sale. Normally about $21-22. Solid value.
Second @Vincent_Fritzsche - just opened a 2017 Armstrong that was faaaantastic. I dont know if $50 is daily, but hes got some for 35 in his recent mailing
Hi Bill. Thanks for your questions. I appreciate you trying to tailor your answer for me. Let me clarify a few things to help frame the discussion.
First, I’m really just trying to understand your (or any given respondent’s) personal preferences. I get that we’re all coming from different circumstances.
If someone responds that their “daily” drinker is a DRC, I’ll take it as something to aspire to. If another respondent suggests a Two Buck Chuck, then I’ll understand that they are working with a different palate or priorities. Both responses help paint a broader picture.
With regards to “widely available”, I just simply meant wines that are not tied to a family connection, work at a winery, or an exclusive mailing list. I’d like to hear about wines that can be found at retail, whether locally or online.
To be clear, I’m asking this partly for myself but also for the forum in general, so any and all relevant responses are welcome! Personally, my “daily” drinker budget is ideally under $30, maybe $40 (less than $50 all-in, including shipping and tax).
For context, I’m probably measuring everything I taste against a 2016 Domaine Drouhin that I had a while ago, while hoping to taste a 2012 Evening Land Seven Springs La Source. (Apologies to @MChang, I don’t yet have enough experience across the pond to have an informed view or offer a comparison.)
I’m particularly interested in hearing about the Oregon values you mentioned - especially those that drink well on release. I would love your recommendations based on your local insight.
Thanks again for helping me refine my search! I look forward to learning more from you and the others on this thread.
There are so many satisfying Willamette Valley PNs in my cellar purchased at under $30, that the only reason I open Pinots from CA, NZ, or any other region, is to keep perspective.
I often stick close to home (Santa Barbara County)
Au bon Climat, Ojai Vineyard, Tyler are pretty easily found and around $30 for their entry level wines.
The are dozens and dozens of local pinots in the $40-100 range if I want to go up a notch.
Anyone who reads this thread is welcome to stop by and share one of several decades accumulation of Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs. Honestly, I have more than our family can drink.
