Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2014

My wine for our Christmas dinner this year was the Kirkland Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2014. Readers of this blog may remember that I reviewed the 2013 vintage in October 2014.

The Russian River Valley is in northern Sonoma County from Santa Rosa to Healdsburg and is noted for cool climate varietals such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This region is in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and is affected by cool fog at night and plentiful sunshine during the day. Daytime temperatures cool 20 to 30 degrees at night.

DC Flynt provides this wine to Costco under the Kirkland Signature label. DC Flynt's website says that Anthony Austin is the winemaker. Austin is the winemaker for Sonoma Coast Vineyards where he produces award winning Pinot Noir that sells for $50 and up.

I found the wine to have a darker, deeper color than some Pinot Noir. It has flavors of dark cherry, raspberry and some spicy oak. From my description of the 2013 version, I think this wine is a little softer but still quite flavorful. The oak may be more subdued and that is better, in my opinion. This is a very good Pinot Noir for the $12.99 price.

SC Wine Joe rating = 88 points

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