2009 Best California Value Pinot Noirs

Value Pinot Noirs represent an exceptional price to quality ratio. Generally they are Pinot Noirs priced near or under $30 that offer the drinker varietal correctness as well as appealing aromatics, flavors, and enough complexity to signify a bargain at the wine’s retail price. These wines often make very good daily drinkers. The value Pinot Noirs are designated in my tasting notes by the Pinot Value Icon. The wines below were all sampled in 2009 and with few exceptions (Alesia, JCB, Rivers-Marie), are readily available through the winery or in the retail marketplace. All of them represent plenty of Pinot bang for the buck.

2006 Alesia San Mateo County Pinot Noir $29
2007 Alfaro Family Vineyards A Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 807 cases, $25
2007 Balletto Vineyards Burnside Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 300 cases, $22
2007 Balletto Vineyards Winery Block Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 300 cases, $22
2007 Belle Glos Meiomi Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $25
2007 Bogle Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $13
2007 Bohan-Dillon Hirsch Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $28
2008 Cazar Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $18
2007 Felta Creek Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 150 cases, $24
2007 Flying Rooster (De La Montanya) Red Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $22
2006 Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County Pinot Noir $18
2007 Greenwood Ridge Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir 875 cases, $30
2006 Hangtime Cellars Force Canyon Vineyard Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir $15
2007 Husch Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $17
2007 J. Lynne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 973 cases, $25
2007 J Vineyards & Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 14,500 cases, $35
2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvée de Troi Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $28
2008 JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset No. 69 Pinot Noir Rosé 200 cases, $12.75
2006 Ken Brown Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir $30
2007 La Crema Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 1,800 cases, $30
2007 La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir $24
2007 Lucas & Lewellen Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2,096 cases, $20
2007 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir $34
2007 MacMurray Central Coast Pinot Noir $24
2006 McHenry Swan Clone Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 158 cases, $25
2006 Olivet Lane Vineyard Pellegrini Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $35
2007 Olivet Lane Vineyard Pellegrini Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2,600 cases, $35
2007 Praxis Cellars Monterey Pinot Noir $16
2007 Rivers-Marie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 225 cases, $25
2007 Sinor-LaVallee San Luis Obispo Pinot Noir 104 cases, $29
2006 Talisman Sonoma County Cuvee Pinot Noir 167 cases, $26
2007 Three Saints Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir $24
2007 Verve Old Vines Rio San Lucas Vineyard Monterey County Pinot Noir 98 cases, $24
2007 Verve Klein Family Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir $33