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.
While last week we made a compelling case for Chardonnay as an excellent wine choice for Thanksgiving, the food-friendly and versatile Pinot Noir should also be on your shopping list for all your upcoming holiday and end-of-year dinner celebrations. Pinot's generous fruit profile, soft tannins and fresh acidity are a great match for the myriad turkey trimmings and other dishes that will grace your table this season. Even the most staunchly particular wine drinkers won't turn their nose up at a glass of one of these eight Pinot picks from California.
Looking to uncork and impress? Splurge on one of the top scorers here. The robust savory and spice notes and firm structure of the David Bruce bottling should hold up nicely to some of your meal's richer preparations. Scherrer's vibrant and suave style with juicy red fruit flavors will keep guests going back for another glass.
If you need Pinot for a party, try Castle Rock's rich and well-spiced version, or Kenwood's juicy, creamy and toasty Pinot. Both are bargains at under $20, so you can procure enough bottles to ensure everyone's glass is full throughout the evening.
DAVID BRUCE Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2016
This lengthens out nicely, featuring a mix of dried berry and cherry flavors that are flanked by robust savory and spice notes. Firmly structured, with a taut finish that offers graphite hints. Drink now through 2022. 5,000 cases made.
SCHERRER Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2013
Vibrant and suave, offering juicy red currant, raspberry and rooibos tea flavors that feature hints of cream. Pastry notes show on the finish, with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2022. 1,080 cases made.
WRATH Pinot Noir Monterey 115/667 2016
Firm acidity supports a rich array of dried date, cherry and raspberry flavors that are finely textured. Hints of cocoa powder show on the decadently spiced finish. Drink now through 2023. 427 cases made.
BUENA VISTA Pinot Noir Carneros 2016
Finely structured and delicate, with bright minerality to the dried cherry and berry flavors. Peppery hints show on the rich finish. Drink now through 2020. 6,337 cases made.
GEHRICKE Pinot Noir Los Carneros 2015
Plush, with creamy richness to the dark cherry and plum tart flavors. Chocolate and Asian spice notes fill the finish. Drink now through 2021. 2,026 cases made.
SEAN MINOR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2016
Focused, with fresh-tasting cherry, currant and mulled berry flavors that are supported by sinewy acidity. Hot stone notes show on the finish. Drink now through 2021. 5,000 cases made.
CASTLE ROCK Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Reserve 2017
Rich and well-spiced, with creamy accents to the brambly red fruit flavors. The open-textured finish features tea and cola notes. Drink now. 4,508 cases made.
KENWOOD Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2016
Juicy, with creamy and toasty notes to the dried cherry and roasted plum flavors. Mocha hints show on the finish. Drink now. 40,000 cases made.