10 Best Pinot Noir Wines in Sonoma (2023)

Pinot Noir Wine: Classy and Complex

Pinot Noir is the signature red grape variety of Burgundy in France and is now cultivated in many wine regions around the world. Some of the best Pinot Noir producers are found in the USA in places such as Sonoma’s Russian River Valley or Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Besides this, Pinot Noir grapes are used to make some of the most complex red wines. This leads to the greatest Pinot Noir expressions commanding a high price in the wine market.

Pinot Noir wines have aromas of red berries, strawberries, cherries, and some have flavors of baking spice, stewed fruits, and clove. Some touches of raspberries are common too, together with hints of earthiness, like a forest floor. Other common aromas include violets and leather, while Pinot Noirs from warmer climates like Australia and Oregon have more tropical fruit notes.

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In this list, we are going to give you 10 of the best Sonoma Pinot Noir. You might argue that finding the best-selling Pinot Noir wines in Sonoma is challenging, almost unrealistic, but rest assured that we have tried the very best of them. Here are the best Pinot Noir wines in Sonoma County and some of the greatest of the United States, too:

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Best Pinot Noir Wines in Sonoma

Best Overall

Tasting Notes

Thick and robust, Belle Glos Dairyman Vineyard Pinot Noir is a hearty red with pronounced oak and tannin. Baking spice highlights the dark fruit flavors as floral aromatics rise upfront, balancing the intense toastiness.

Deep ruby-red in color, with pleasant aromas of boysenberry, violet, lavender, cherry, and mulberry, interlace with delicate hints of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and dill on the nose. Viscous flavors of raspberries, blackberries, plums, and figs, combined with bold tastes of strawberries, cranberries, and cocoa, dominate the palate for a generous mouthfeel. The soft textures continue throughout the fine-grained tannin sensations. Meanwhile, the racy acidity stimulates, finishing with a graceful, pineapple-accented aftertaste.

Diverse Climate Conditions Produce Wines Expressive of the Locale

Belle Glos presents unique Pinot Noir from some of Sonoma’s best vineyards. Even though each vineyard lies near the Pacific Ocean, there is a big difference in the climate and the amount of fog, soil type, and sunlight vary at each site. That said, each vineyard is crafted to extract the purest essence and expression of the terroir and produce incredibly concentrated Sonoma Pinot Noirs.

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Best Value

Tasting Notes

Fragrances of red berries and florals form an intriguing and fruit-forward bouquet, as persistent flavors of cherries, raspberries, and baking spices, mingle with hints of toasty oak, vanilla spice, and mushrooms for the delicious palate.

A smooth and well-rounded Pinot, Juggernaut Pinot Noir is loaded with aromas of cranberries, strawberries, violets, and hibiscus. In the mouth, mouthwatering tastes of cherries, raspberries, and cinnamon spice blend with vanilla, charred wood, and mushrooms for complex sensations. On top of this, flavors of cassis, grapefruits, and sweet tobacco, complete the palate, integrating with the velvety tannins, and driving to the oak-influenced finish.

Wine From Juicy and Flavorful Grapes

Juggernaut grapes are always juicy with a high flavor concentration. The reason for this is that they grow in challenging conditions. As a result, a determination is needed by the vine to bring forth high yields. Generally, the Juggernaut winery is known for its high-quality Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Because the Pinot Noir vines endure tough conditions, like fog and the struggle to find nutrients on the steep slopes where they grow, they produce flavorful fruit. This, in turn, leads to the production of delicious wine with a unique taste.

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Best Under $15

Tasting Notes

Right away, this wine impresses with a dense, dark attractive hue. Scents of red and dark fruits blend with notes of baking spices and subtle charred wood on the nose. The fruity palate is complex and does not disappoint, driving into a round texture and long finish.

Wine aficionados are treated with fragrant aromas of cherries, raspberries, and blackberries, joined by hints of cedar, cinnamon spice, and toasted oak. In the mouth, round, smooth flavors of redcurrants, strawberries combine with notes of plums, white pepper, and arugula for a unique, palatable result. The aftertaste is fine, with subtle hints of smoke, soil, and leather. The tannins are soft, almost silky.

Focusing on the Restoration of the California Watersheds

Steelhead Vineyards started as a tribute to Steelhead and Coho salmon, with the commitment to restore their habitats in Northern California waterways. To achieve this, they collaborated with university and state organizations. Their efforts have been successful since they rebuilt the spawning grounds within creek beds, which led to the return of Steelhead trout in the spring. Restoring these watersheds inspired other wine farms to do the same, which is very positive.

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Best Under $20

Tasting Notes

Enticing aromas of cherry cola, strawberries, and raspberries define the bouquet, as supple flavors of chocolate, licorice, tobacco, and vanilla spice are present on the palate. Smooth tannins and uplifting acidity confirm the dynamism and complexity of Folie à Deux Pinot Noir. As soon as the bottle is uncorked, rose petals and dried violets jump from the glass, followed by scents of cherry cola, strawberry jam, raspberries, and charred wood.

Flavors of tobacco, jammy plums, chocolate, cloves, and vanilla spice define the fleshy mouthfeel, as the juicy palate is framed by rounded, smooth tannins and uplifting acidity. The lingering finish is packed with notes of redcurrants, potpourri, and coffee. The wine represents the cool, coastal terroir of the Sonoma Coast and has been aged for about 9 months in French oak.

Great Wine Is Made in The Vineyard

Folie à Deux crafts world-class wines that have magnetized and captivated the senses of wine fans for more than 30 years. The fruit is sourced from some of Sonoma’s best appellations. Each grape variety thrives in its natural terroir. As a result, the Folie à Deux wines embody a perfect fusion of wine grapes and region and present a glimpse of Sonoma’s diverse terroir.

The winemaker at Folie à Deux has been Domenica Totty since 2017. Her experience in the wine industry has given her the understanding that great wine is made only in the vineyard, a concept prevalent in Folie à Deux Pinot Noir!

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Best Under $25

Tasting Notes

Aromatic and complex on the nose, the wine shows vibrant acidity and smooth tannins on the palate. Wine enthusiasts are going to love sipping it! Medium-bodied, Twenty Rows Pinot Noir begins with bright aromas of cherries, raspberries, and blackberries with hints of pepper, forest floor, and prunes. The texture is smooth and round, as flavors of redcurrants and blueberries join subtle touches of aniseed, plums, smoke, and graphite to form the juicy palate.

A long finish, packed with notes of vanilla spice, sweet tobacco, and a dash of strawberry, concludes the tasting profile. The active acidity refreshes and balances out the pronounced oakiness. As to the tannins, they are velvety and soft, offering pleasant sensations.

Focusing on the Varietal Character

Created by Brian Russ as an homage to the first vineyard he planted as a Napa Valley farmer, Twenty Rows wines are crafted from carefully selected grapes that focus on the varietal character. While establishing Twenty Rows, Brian Russ envisioned a family-owned winery crafting balanced expressions of traditional grape varieties. As such, he expanded his passion from farming to winemaking in 2003, when the first vintage of Twenty Rows was released. Since then, the winery has offered wines of exceptional balance, value, and quality.

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Best Under $30

Tasting Notes

Vibrant with aromas of dark berries and fruits, such as plum, cherries, and notes of pepper and rose, this Pinot Noir is fruit-forward and yummy. The wine begins with fragrances of candied cherries, plums, and hibiscus, combined with pepper, roses, and star anise. The mouthfeel is lively, showing off fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. These flavors are followed by cinnamon spice, orange peel, pepper, and salt. Concerning the tannins, they are smooth and silky and conclude the tasting profile in a mint-driven finish.

A Calling to Greatness

The Calling winery is one of the best in Sonoma County, producing highly acclaimed wines since 2012 when they released their first vintage. The vines grow in ideal locations that suit the characteristics of each varietal. The Calling wines are a testament to the greatness that comes from following your calling. That was the case when this winery was established by Jim Natz, famed CBS sports commentator, and Peter Deutsch, founder, and CEO of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits.

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Best Under $40

Tasting Notes

Rich, with abundant aromas of roses, potpourri, raspberries, and cherries, and a palate loaded with flavors of blackberry preserves, blueberries, lifted by a forest floor and clove accents, EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir is fantastic. The wine is dense and luscious, with fragrances of roses, potpourri, cherries, raspberries, and hints of cinnamon spice, soil, and dried violets.

Dark preserves of blackberries mingle with flavors of blueberries, chocolate, and coffee, as well as notes of forest floor, clove, and pepper. Touches of graphite and stones are present on the mid-palate, too, integrating harmoniously with the fine-grained tannins. To sum it up, from start to end, this Pinot Noir is opulent and velvety, with a persistent savory edge of tea.

Inspired by Burgundy, Fascinated by Russian River Valley

EnRoute was created by the partners of Napa Valley’s Far Niente winery in the Russian River Valley in 2007. They produce wines exclusively from the Russian River Valley, highly expressive of the locale. EnRoute is inspired by partners Beth Nickel, Erik Nickel, Jeremy Nickel, Dirk Hampson, and Larry Maguire, who journeyed to Burgundy in 1980 to produce Pinot Noir.

Since then, they have focused on making Napa Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. But, due to their appreciation for Burgundy and Pinot Noir, the partners established sister winery Nickel & Nickel to craft single-vineyard Pinots from the Russian River Valley, such as EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir.

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Best Under $50

Tasting Notes

Concentrated aromas and flavors of cherries, raspberries, plums, sage, and tobacco interweave with refreshing acidity and voluptuous tannins to yield a cocoa-and-coffee-driven finish. This wine begins with pronounced aromas of cherries, redcurrants, and boysenberries, as well as touches of sage, mint, and cloves.

Next, flavors of blackberries, tobacco, anise, and forest floor define the palate. Also, wine enthusiasts should discern opulent tastes of smoke, brown sugar, cinnamon, and plums. The tannins are velvety and contribute depth and structure. The aftertaste is creamy, filled with touches of cocoa, coffee, and tomato leaf.

Producing Wine With Respect to the Environment

Founded 20 years ago by the Duncan Family of Silver Oak, Twomey produces dynamic, vineyard-focused wines. Brothers Tim, Kevin, and David founded Twomey Cellars in 1999, with David and Tim overseeing the day-to-day operations at the winery.

Their Passion for Pinot Noir has led to the creation of wines that express delicate balance and Sonoma’s intricate micro-climates and soils. Twomey Cellars respect the environment and the role it plays in wine character. So their farming techniques focus on advanced water conservation technologies and integrated pest management to protect the land for the upcoming generations.

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Best Under $100

Tasting Notes

Matured in French oak, this Pinot Noir is red fruit-driven, packed with subtle notes of white flowers, baking spices, minerals, and earth. Beautifully balanced and medium-to-full-bodied, it has a dense structure and will drink well for a decade or more. A classic Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, showcasing a bouquet of alluring raspberry, redcurrant, honeysuckle, acacia, and cinnamon spice notes, along with hints of flint, wet stones, and forest floor.

Bold and tense on the palate, Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir exhibits persistent flavors of blackberries and blueberries, as well as tastes of tobacco, cassis, tree bark, and tea. In fact, the richly textured palate reveals the dichotomy between a traditional Pinot and Amarone-like bitterness. As expected, the tannins are refined and smooth, while the spicy finish is soft, lengthy, and sexy.

Masters of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Established in 1997, Kosta Browne is considered one of North America’s best wineries, recognized for producing world-class Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The winery is located in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, and has a team of passionate winemakers led by Julien Howsepian.

For the most part, Kosta Browne makes single-vineyard wines from cool-climate vineyards across the Russian River Valley, the most prestigious wine region of Sonoma. Over the last few years, Kosta Brown has won several accolades, certifying the high quality of wines they craft.

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Best With Unlimited Budget

Tasting Notes

Gorgeous but powerful on the nose, Williams Selyem Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir begins with a bouquet of roses, strawberries, and raspberries, as well as subtle notes of star anise and oak. On the palate, the wine shows fine minerals, vibrant red fruits, and velvety tannins.

Medium ruby-purple, this wine offers delicate aromas of red roses, strawberries, raspberries, laced with notes of star anise, toasted oak, vanilla spice, and coffee. As the wine enters the mouth, polished flavors of minerals, redcurrants, blackberries, and plums combine, delivering a smooth palate. The tannins are silky and refined, and they subtlety drive into the enticing spice-framed finish. Highly enjoyable over the coming 5-10 years, when stored correctly.

Setting the Standard of Californian Pinot Noir

Williams Selyem Winery started as a dream of the two friends Ed Selyem and Burt Williams, who started winemaking in 1979, releasing their first commercial vintage in 1981. Since then, they have managed to create a cult-status winery of international recognition. In fact, they set a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking in Sonoma County and the United States. The winery was bought in 1998 by John and Kathe Dyson, who carry on this passion for producing uncompromised Pinot Noir.

Conclusion

And that’s it! We’ve reached the end of our list. We believe (and hope) that we have provided wine consumers with the top-rated Pinot Noir wines in Sonoma County and helped them decide. Sure, answering the common question of what is the best Pinot Noir in Sonoma was not a walk in the park, but we did our best, and, quite frankly, these are seriously some of the best Sonoma Pinots. So, go ahead, and without thinking twice, purchase some fine wine!