Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.
If you enjoy supple and fruit-driven Pinot Noir, then you're in for a treat with today's selection of new releases from California and Oregon. With its warm summer days, California has long been known for its bold-fruited Pinots, and Oregon's Willamette Valley has recently experienced a string of warm vintages, adding a layer of ripe polish to the region's trademark crisp and savory style.
There are many familiar names in these picks, from veteran producers Bergström and Fess Parker to relative newcomers Walt and Toil Oregon. Plus, the California Pinots demonstrate the state's diverse terroirs with wines from Anderson Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Arroyo Grande Valley and more.
All of these wines score 90 points are higher, and there are numerous great buys in the group, with prices that range from $25 to $50.
AMPELOS Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Lambda: The Magnitude 2015
Open-textured, with a fine texture to the dried cherry, raspberry and currant flavors that are full of fresh minerality. Offers a crisp finish. Drink now through 2021. 825 cases made.
BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Cumberland Reserve 2016
Floral and expressive raspberry and violet aromas open to polished and delicately layered pomegranate, anise and spice flavors that finish with refined tannins. Drink now through 2023. 5,000 cases made.
COLENE CLEMENS Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Adriane 2015
Sleek and structured, with refined cherry, stony mineral and spiced tea flavors that take on polished tannins toward the finish. Drink now through 2024. 847 cases made.
KENDALL-JACKSON Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Jackson Estate Outland Ridge 2016
Broadly textured and rich, with mocha notes accenting the dark cherry, roasted plum and wild berry flavors. Chocolate and spice details show on the creamy finish. Drink now through 2022. 973 cases made.
SWEET CHEEKS Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2016
Sleek and silky, with elegantly complex rose petal, raspberry and green tea accents that take on richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2023. 1,675 cases made.
TOIL OREGON Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2016
Plump, fresh and elegantly layered with vibrant raspberry, orange tea and toasty cinnamon flavors that glide toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2023. 700 cases made.
TRISAETUM Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2016
Broad but refined, with lively rose petal and black raspberry notes accented by dusky spice and stony mineral hints. Finishes with big but polished tannins. Drink now through 2024. 3,800 cases made.
WALT Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2016
There's lots of rooibos tea notes to this toothsome red, which offers a well-honed structure to support the dried berry and cherry tart flavors. Rich and savory on the finish. Drink now through 2021. 1,661 cases made.
LA CREMA Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2016
Shows plenty of hot stone and brick notes to the dried cherry, allspice and poached plum flavors, with cardamom and sandalwood details on the creamy finish. Drink now through 2021. 100,000 cases made.
LAETITIA Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley 2016
A charming, graceful and elegant offering, with a silky texture amid fresh earth, anise, cherry, plum and smoky oak flavors, ending long and soothing. Drink now through 2027. 7,300 cases made.
MIGRATION Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2016
Well-structured, showing vibrant dried cherry, red plum and currant flavors that are backed by zesty acidity. The minerally finish is fresh and focused, with a savory edge. Drink now through 2022. 23,000 cases made.
FESS PARKER Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2016
Elegant, showing suave dried berry and red fruit flavors that are flush with dried herb and understory accents. Rich and minerally on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 4,362 cases made.
SIDURI Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2016
Lush and packed with vibrant cherry, raspberry and red plum flavors that feature toothsome forest floor notes. Engaging minerality and rich spiciness show on the finish. Drink now through 2021. 1,390 cases made.