Bridlewood, Monterey County (California) Pinot Noir 2010

Regrettably, we’ve become conditioned to the $40-and-up Pinot Noir. In recent years the $40 threshold has been the gateway to good Pinot with nuanced characteristics. So it’s a pleasant surprise to come across Bridlewood’s 2010 Monterey County Pinot, which is anything but thin and bland. This is a meaty Pinot that exhibits an earthy, forest-floor aroma on the nose and notes of black cherry and strawberry on the palate. This Pinot even finishes with a bit of grip, which makes it especially conducive to serving at meal time. And, at $20, it’s one of the best bargains in Pinot I’ve come across in quite some time.