There’s just something special about a well-crafted Pinot Noir.  While many of them require one to pay top dollar, we’d found a few that deliver a lovely character and are available for $20 or less.  So scoff that those higher priced bottles and enjoy these, even on a budget.

Testarossa 2016 “Cuvee Los Gatos” Pinot Noir

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: California

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Waves of strawberries, cherries, and orange peal combine among suggestions of earth, clove, and tea on the nose. The palate reveals flavors of strawberry and bing cherry, along with accents of brown spice and tea. A lighter-style Pinot with a nice acidity, open a bottle when you serve pork tenderloin.

Rating: 90

Cambria 2015 “Julia’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Santa Maria Valley, California

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Lots of plum, strawberry, and raspberry aromas come up front, with hints of clove, vanilla, and floral earth backing them up. A vibrant acidity lifts flavors of strawberries, dark raspberries, and pomegranates that flow into expressions of vanilla, earth, and all-spice. Lively and well suited for food, roast chicken or even duck would match up nicely.

Rating: 90

Kendall-Jackson 2016 “Vinter’s Reserve” Pinot Noir

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: California

Price: 10-16

Tasting Notes:

Bringing together aromas of cherries, raspberries, and boysenberries with suggestions of toasty vanilla and brown spice make the nose rather inviting. On the palate, flavors of cherry, boysenberry, and raspberry mingle among allusions of vanilla and toasted coconut. Fairly light and approachable, with a balanced acidity, it’s a must try if you can find it for under $15.

Rating: 90