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I Found a Pinot Noir For Less Than $20!

Posted on September 4th, 2008 12:57pm by Nancy Nichols
Filed under Wine & Spirits

Don’t get me wrong–$20 bucks is a chunk of change for a bottle of wine. But I love Pinots from the Russian River area and they have just shot up in price. ( Thanks, Sideways.) Anywhoo, I was just cruising the aisles at Central Market (Hi, Karen!) and found a Sphere Pinot Noir for $16.95. I left a few for you.

11 Comments to “I Found a Pinot Noir For Less Than $20!”

Bethany @ September 4th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

I’m still looking for a place in Dallas to buy this Paso a Paso we had at Stephan Pyles. I’m also looking for a Picpoul. I’ve already tried Central Market – both Coit and Greenville.
Nate @ September 4th, 2008 at 1:42 pm

Bethany:

Are you looking for the Verdejo or Tempranillo by Paso a Paso? It is very possible that you can special order a case from Central Market, Whole Foods and other specialty wine shops. (I recommend Chateau Wines on Travis.) You can also find it online with some merchants like BLM Wine.

For a Picpoul de Pinet, I would check with Chateau, Stoney’s, and a few other small wine shops. Dallas Fine Wines on Oaklawn is usually a good source for harder to find varietals.
RH @ September 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Nancy…have you tried your purchase yet? Please post your thoughts after you taste.
Bethany @ September 4th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

Nate: Verdejo. Thanks for the tip!
Todd @ September 4th, 2008 at 5:01 pm

My fave is the Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot from Duckhorn. It’s pricey — $52 — but so worth it. Should be able to find it at Pogo’s.
Nate @ September 4th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

Almost exactly a year ago I was in Healdsburg and the Russian River Valley for a long weekend. I tasted many, many Pinot Noirs as part of my fun there, in addition to a lot of sparkling, Cab, Syrah, Chardonnay and other varietals.

Some of the standout Pinot Noirs I had include:
Iron Horse Q Pinot Noir
Seghesio Costiera Pinot Noir
Gary Farrell – choose any vintage
Martin Ray – many good choices
Woodenhead (they source from other appellations, but the RR Valley is their best in my opinion)

Yes, these all retail at $40 and up, but they are darn good.
Kelly @ September 5th, 2008 at 7:36 am

Nate,

I was in the same area back on Memorial Day weekend, and I agree on your picks (especially the Gary Farrell), but would have to add Rochioli to your list – http://www.rochioliwinery.com/. Many of the wineries that produce Pinot Noirs in the RR Valley purchase their grapes from the vineyard, and Rochioli’s waiting list for their single vineyard offering is legendary. You can purchase their Pinot Noir blend locally. I don’t have a clue where you can get your hands on the good stuff, though.

I’m going to give the Sphere a try this weekend. I hope it’s tasty!
DGirl @ September 5th, 2008 at 9:21 am

Nate – you’re good, buddy! Last summer we drove the Russian River along, all the way to where it opens up into the Pacific. We spent a day in Guerneville hanging out and pretending to be cool. Love Siduri Pinots. Not the prettiest setting (industrial park tasting room) but it’s darn good wine.
Nate @ September 5th, 2008 at 10:20 am

Oh yeah…Siduri. Forgot about them. You’d think I would remember them. Reminds me of my trip to Homewood Estates around Napa…in their tasting room, their Chardonnays had aromas of cow dung, thanks to the cows literally just outside the door.

If any of you haven’t taken the drive to Anderson Valley, head up that 25 mile drive that takes 90 minutes from Healdsburg…and enjoy some great wineries, like Roederer Estate, along with the roadside fruit stands. Stop at the little Mexican restaurant near Scharffenberger Cellars…really tasty food that will help you sober up before the drive back down the mountain.
Ed B. @ September 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

“Hob Nob” (that’s how it’s spelled) Pinot Noir retails for the unbelievably low price of $10.99 and is “big” and richly flavored with cherries up front and plums and violet essence on the finish. Hob Nob also makes a Shiraz for the same price. I’ve seen it at a Super Target in W. Plano and at a few small wine shops.
Ed B. @ September 5th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Kelly – I couldn’t agree more about the Rochioli Pinot as it has layers and layers of flavor and there’s absolutely nothing like it anywhere. It’s not available locally, but if you can wait until early January, call 707-433-2305 and get on the list to be shipped the latest release. It’s worth every penny!