Here is another find in the search to uncover the ever elusive, good quality, but inexpensive Pinot Noir. Pinot is the hardest grape to unearth great values from. That’s just the way it is. A finnicky grape, it is mesmerizing at its heights, and not so much in most low priced versions. This wine defies that generalization.
Wine: 2016 Mark West Black Pinot Noir
Winery Location: Acampo, CA – fruit from Monterey vineyards
Tasted By: Neil Date: January, 2019
Tasting Notes: This is very dark for Pinot Noir, and has a rich nose of black cherry, with a little caramel and some orange hints. On the palate it is rich as well, and full bodied. This is full throttle Pinot Noir. You get some herbal noes as well. Long and smooth. On Wine Searcher this had an average score of 88, but I think it might be a little better than that.
Price Point – $12. That is not a typo.
Would We Buy It? – We would definitely buy this wine, and maybe by the case. I had it at the bar two nights in a row during a trip to San Diego. Very good, expressive Pinot Noir for very little money. This is a Value List wine for sure.
Good Pinot Noir can be had for under $20. In this case well under $20.
A votre santé!
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