2019 California Pinot Noir

Producers' experience, maturing vineyards, and a diversity of terroirs lead to new heights

- By James Molesworth

95-Point Vintage

345 Wines Blind Tasted

225 Wines Rated 90+ Points

PLUS A First Look at 2020

Ever since consumer passion was ignited for California Pinot Noir by the movie Sideways nearly two decades ago, the category has seen a rapid upward trajectory. Prominent wineries have worked to define the state’s established American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), while pioneering vintners have helped to carve out new ones. A younger generation of quality-oriented winemakers have also entered the picture, driving a proliferation of single-vineyard bottlings that highlight the state’s varying terroirs. Producers’ focus on top clones ideally suited for these areas has fueled new plantings, yet they’ve maintained a healthy respect for older vines as well. This has led to greater diversity among Pinot bottlings, with a wide range of styles on display, from ripe and lush to savory and racy. All told, California Pinot Noir couldn’t be on a more promising path.

Only one thing has been missing: a true benchmark vintage. There have been some outstanding years in which a handful of producers excelled or some AVAs peaked, including most recently 2018, 2016, and 2014. But an actual benchmark, with a consistent level of quality across all the major AVAs and a critical mass of producers hitting the mark, had yet to occur. That was until the 2019 harvest came along.