Kirkland Signature 2011 Carneros Pinot Noir

Carneros connects the southern end of Napa Valley with the southern end of Sonoma Valley. It is an area of cool winds and almost daily cool fog. Carneros is the source of great pinot noir and chardonnay.

Every year, Costco has a new version of their Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir. The dominant flavor to me of this pinot is ripe cherries. The wine contains 13.9% A.C. Other bloggers usually give this wine good reviews. I believe this is a quality wine for $9.99 but it is just not my style. The dominant ripe cherry taste does not appeal to me. I would be interested to hear what others think.

SC Wine Joe rating = 87

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Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018

I was aware of the reputation of Ken Wright Cellars for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir but had never tried one of their wines. The winery is most known for single vineyard Pinot Noirs but their entry level wine is a blend from several vineyards. When I have looked for wine from Ken Wright, I have either found the single vineyard wines costing more than $60 or I have found the entry level Willamette Valley blend priced significantly higher than the $22 price on the winery website. One well known wine shop in downtown Greenville actually sells it for $34. I guess that the wine must be really good to command higher than retail prices. Two things have recently happened. Costco has a Ken Wright premium Pinot Noir for around $40 and Whole Foods Market has the entry level Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on sale for $22 rather than their usual price of $27. I chose the entry level Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and I am sure glad that I did. Ken Wright Willame...

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