Smooth, fresh and fruity, we review the Le Fat Bastard Pinot Noir from southern France. Pinot Noir primarily from from select vineyards in the foothills of Massif Central near the communes of Pézenas and Narbonne, France. … [Read more...]
Pinot Noir for the 99
Let’s face it, Pinot Noir can be pricey! Conversely finding good, quality Pinot Noir for under $20 can be a challenge, but it’s one that we readily accept here at Reverse Wine Snob.
Complicating this search, however, is the fact that many winemakers themselves don't want to make the kind of Pinot Noir that the average consumer wants to drink! While they're busy shooting for that elusive 100 point rating the average wine drinker just wants a classic, tasty, easy to drink wine.
And while there are many good picks for Pinot Noir under $20, there are a special few that go above and beyond, wines we like to call “Pinot Noir for the 99”.
McManis Pinot Noir – A Rare Find
Solid Pinot Noir Under $10! We review the latest vintage of the McManis Family Vineyards Pinot Noir from Lodi. Predominantly Pinot Noir along with a bit of Petite Sirah from Lodi, California. The wine is aged in French and American oak for 6 months. … [Read more...]
Loudenotte Cuvée Réservée Pinot Noir From Trader Joe's
Drinkable $6.99 French Pinot Noir from Trader Joe's? We review the Loudenotte Cuvée Réservée Pays d'Oc Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir from Languedoc-Roussillon, France. … [Read more...]
Hahn California Pinot Noir - A Solid Pinot At A Bargain Price
A decade later, we revisit a favorite bargain Pinot Noir pick, the Hahn California Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir primarily from the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County, California. The wine spends 7 months in 30% new French oak. … [Read more...]
INSIDER DEAL! 45% Off 90-Point Napa Carneros Pinot Noir!
THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. This classic, 90-point, Napa Valley Carneros Pinot is back and it's just $12 a bottle! It's the Thomas Henry Carneros Pinot Noir from … [Read more...]
INSIDER DEAL! Half Off Thomas Henry Sonoma County Pinot Noir
THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. Time to stock up! It's another fantastic example of Pinot Noir and it's over half off. Tom Meadowcroft and winemaker Petar Kirilov … [Read more...]
Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Lot 105 Review
We review the Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Lot 105 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir to find out if it measures up. Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley of California. … [Read more...]
Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley - Cheap But Not Cheap Tasting
An earthy Pinot Noir from Trader Joe's for just $10, the Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley. Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, California. The wine is aged in French oak for an unspecified amount of time. … [Read more...]
Underwood Wine In a Can - Willamette Valley Pinot for the Unpretentious
We revisit two of the original wines in a can, the Underwood Pinot Gris and Underwood Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon. … [Read more...]
Tinga Reserve Pinot Noir - Delish
The Tinga Reserve Pinot Noir, a solid and tasty wine from a place you might not expect. 100% Pinot Noir from Limari Valley, Chile. The wine is aged for 10 months in stainless steel before spending 4 months in French and American oak. … [Read more...]
Simple Life Pinot Noir - Simply Good
The Simple Life Pinot Noir, a fine pick for our Pinot Noir for the 99 series! 95% Pinot Noir and 5% Barbera from California. The wine spends 10 months in 100% French oak (60% new, 40% seasoned). … [Read more...]
Valckenberg Undone Pinot Noir - Stripped Down
100% Pinot Noir from Rheinhessen, Germany. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. Available for around $10. 1,500 cases produced. Imported by Valckenberg International. Sample submitted for review. From the winery: "This Undone Pinot Noir is very smooth, with berry and … [Read more...]
Arrogant Frog Pinot Noir - Lovely Languedoc
BULK BUY! 100% Pinot Noir from Languedoc, France. Sample submitted for review. SRP of $9 and available for around $8. Imported by Palm Bay International. From the bottle: "Arrogant Frog is a wine that proudly embraces its origin in the South of France. To obtain the … [Read more...]
90 Plus Cellars Lot 111 Pinot Noir - A Lot To Love
Pinot Noir from Monterey, California. SRP of $15 and available for as low as $11. (Source price of $20.) 7,000 cases produced. Sample submitted for review. From the bottle: "Story: This beauty comes from terraced vineyards scattered about Monterey's hills and valleys where … [Read more...]
The Best Box Wines - Pepperwood Grove The Big Green Box Pinot Noir
75% Pinot Noir and 25% Syrah from Valle Central, Chile. Sample submitted for review. SRP of $20 and available for as low as $17. From the producer: "Flexible enough to go with light or rich fare, this highly versatile Pinot Noir can be readily enjoyed with a variety of … [Read more...]
Picton Bay South Island Pinot Noir - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #6
BULK BUY! Pinot Noir from Marlborough and Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Available exclusively at Trader Joe's. Purchased for $7.99. From the bottle: "This wine is made from grapes grown in Marlborough and Nelson. Picton Bay Pinot Noir is fresh with delicious red … [Read more...]
Murphy-Goode California Pinot Noir - Good Stuff!
99% Pinot Noir and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon from California. Sample submitted for review. SRP of $15 and widely available for around $12. 49,000 cases produced. From the bottle: "Like a new cover of your favorite song, our Pinot Noir is unexpected, mysterious and wonderfully … [Read more...]
Cameron Hughes Lot 395 Pinot Noir - A Russian River Valley Value
Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley, California. SRP of $18 and available for around $12. From the bottle: "Cameron Hughes is an international négociant, sourcing and producing small lots of high quality wine from the world's best regions. Cameron offers a diverse range … [Read more...]
Mt. Beautiful North Canterbury Pinot Noir - Brings Its A-Game
BULK BUY! Pinot Noir from Cheviot Hills, North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand. SRP of $24 and available for as low as $18. 2,650 cases produced. Imported by Mt. Beautiful USA. Sample submitted for review. See a listing of local retailers selling this wine … [Read more...]
Mezzacorona Pinot Noir - Smooth and Easy
Pinot Noir from Vigneto delle Dolomiti, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy. SRP of $10 and available for as low as $8. Sample submitted for review. From the bottle: "Mezzacorona only vinifies Pinot Noir grapes of its own production cultivated in vineyards at the foot of the … [Read more...]
Swami Pinot Noir - An Almost Magical Combination of Earth and Fruit
Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, California. SRP of $17 and available at that price or occasionally as low as $13 on the deal sites. Sample submitted for review. 2,500 cases produced. From Gundlach Bundschu who also produce the BULK BUY rated Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée 2010 … [Read more...]
Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir Vin de Pays d'Oc - Light And Tasty
100% Pinot Noir from Vin de Pays d'Oc, France. SRP of $15 and available for as low as $8. Sample submitted for review. Imported by Boisset Family Estates. From the bottle: "A deliciously fruit-forward Pinot Noir from the South of France. 13.0% Alcohol" If you follow … [Read more...]
Mietz Cellars Sonoma County Syrah and Pinot Noir - Rare Finds
With grapes from Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley these limited production wines offer big names and big tastes at small prices. First up is the 2007 Mietz Cellars Sonoma County Syrah which consists of 92% Syrah and 8%Petite Sirah. The Syrah comes from the Dry … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]