Josh Cellars, Central Coast (California) Pinot Noir 2014

Buying Pinot Noir from anywhere for less than $20 is an extremely dicey undertaking, but this wine shows that excellent quality can indeed be found at this price level.  With toasty oak showing but not dominating the aromatics, and with fruit that shows an impression of ripe sweetness without seeming candied, this avoids the pitfalls that trap many California Pinots sold at two or three times the price asked for this wine.  Very nicely balanced and integrated, this is a great value.  Platinum Award winner at the 2016 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge.