Banshee Banshee Pinot Noir Trenton vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

Excellent choice for a sub $20 bottle of Pinot. Not a cherry bomb; more on the dried fruit, spicy profile. Simple with lots of flavors and a long finish. Very food friendly.

Nice red and some blue fruit flavors. Not real complex or w/terroir flavors like you’d expect for a $30+ bottle. But, great QPR and a bargain at $16 at Total Wine.

Mild nose. Lighter bodied red. Some tannin. Not super strong varietal.

Lighter red. Moderate nose with notes of berries. Some tannin. Slate, smoke.

The Eighth Annual World's Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir : Retail $25. Heavy bottle (615g; 21.6g). Dark in color and aromas: black cherry and black raspberry. Fruity and full with plenty of juiciness to spare. The acidity struggles to find a path, but eventually takes over on the mid-palate, if only briefly. Nice finish, with a hint of flint on the very backend. Nice. Excellent. 92 Points. www.thedrunkencyclist.com

Cherries, red and black berries. Good spice, black tea, and acids. Over the last few years this has become a nice go to value CA Pinot. I usually see it under $20, and it’s a ridiculous $13 at Total Wine.

Pleasantly surprised by this impulse buy as I am not a big PN fan, but I needed a Pinot for Coq au Van. Wonderful nose and mouthfeel. Buy again!