Once upon a time the price of any given wine was a reflection of the quality of the vintage. That applies in some cases today, but all too often wines are priced by accountants rather than vintners, who are usually more realistic about the fortunes of nature. That’s why it’s refreshing to see this lovely bottle of Pinot from Siduri at a sub-$30 price. It’s a very good wine from a challenging vintage and it’s priced accordingly. More austere than it would have been from a better vintage, it nevertheless delivers good intensity of red-fruited aroma, with firm grip on the back of the palate that is absent in so many New World Pinots. Is it a "great" wine? Nope. But it is very good, especially for the vintage, and the price is right.
Siduri, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County) Pinot Noir 2011
By Robert Whitley