This Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands in California is on the thinner side, with light ruby color and fresh cherry flavors. Light-bodied with minimal tannins, but still a nice overall every-day wine.

The label states 2008 as the vintage, so the wine has kept well all these years.

The Hunterdon Pinot Noir is produced with a Burgundy-style aging process, where the winemakers age the wine in large casks, which let in tiny amounts of oxygen. This so-called “micro-oxidation” softens the wine and adds a little earthiness to its character.

A real value wine, so if you spot this one, definitely worth a try.

Produced by Hunterdon Cellars (Mayro-Murdick Wines), King City CA.

Alc. 13.5%

$10

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The 2012 Testarossa Pinot Noir is produced from grapes sourced from various high quality vineyards spread throughout California’s Central Coast.

It’s a slightly darker and more robust Pinot Noir with luscious dark berry fruit, bright acidity and hints of cinnamon with some smokey oak coming through on the finish. This is a great, affordable Pinot Noir that received 90 Points from the Wine Advocate.

Testarossa Winery was founded in 1993 by husband and wife Rob & Diana Jensen, who started the business in their garage with 25 cases of wine. Today, the winery has a loyal following of wine enthusiasts because of their ability to cultivate “long-term partnerships with passionate winegrowers and vineyards“.

Produced and bottled by: Testarossa Winery, Los Gatos CA.

Alc. 14.3%

$15

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