Line 39 Pinot Noir - The Real Thing

Pinot Noir from Central Coast, California.

Sample submitted for review. SRP of $12 and available for as low as $8. 10,000 cases produced.

From the bottle:

"The 39th parallel runs through the heart of California wine country and is home to Line 39. Here we craft wines expressive of their dynamic region.

"The Central Coast of California is the perfect growing region for my style of Pinot Noir. Rich flavors of berries and cherries with soft tannins. Discover the Central Coast like I did. Salut!"
--Bob Broman, winemaker

14.5% Alcohol"

Real Pinot for under $10? Don't think it's possible? Think again! As we outlined in our Pinot Noir For The 99 post a few weeks back, finding great tasting Pinot Noir under $20 (much less $10) can be a challenge. Lucky for us it's not impossible and this inaugural release from Line 39 gives Reverse Wine Snobs another great option.

The 2012 Line 39 Pinot Noir begins with pleasant aromas of strawberry, raspberry, earth and a hint of rhubarb. This medium-bodied wine is really easy to drink and smooth with similar flavors to the nose plus a nice layer of spice. It's a bit rustic (or maybe just rough around the edges), but that helps give the wine some nice character versus being artificially smooth. The medium-long finish is lightly spicy and strawberry notes linger pleasantly in the mouth. Proof you don't have to spend a lot on your Pinot Noir to get the real thing!

Also be sure to check out our reviews of these other excellent wines from Line 39:

• Line 39 North Coast Petite Sirah 2010 - A Party Essential.
• Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc Lake County 2010 - A Delightfully Good Wine That Won't Bust Your Budget.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.