2019 California Pinot Noir
Wine Spectator|September 30, 2022
Producers' experience, maturing vineyards, and a diversity of terroirs lead to new heights
By James Molesworth
2019 California Pinot Noir

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.

This story is from the September 30, 2022 edition of Wine Spectator.

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This story is from the September 30, 2022 edition of Wine Spectator.

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