Pinot Noir is known for its elegance, delicate nature, and complex flavors, and finding an affordable bottle that lives up to its reputation can be quite the treasure hunt.
Fortunately, I’ve done the legwork for you and did a series of tastings for the best Pinot Noir under $20 that’ll leave your palate and wallet very content.
Top 10 (Must-Try) Best Pinot Noir Under $20
1. Old Soul Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $16 (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 13.5% (ABV)
Nose: Raspberry, plum, toasted vanilla oak
Palate: Fruity raspberry, plum, balanced acidity
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: Old Soul Pinot Noir unveils an enchanting symphony of raspberry and black plum aromas intertwined with the warm embrace of toasted oak.
I was greeted with remarkable tasting notes of raspberry and black cherry notes balanced by a perfect touch of acidity.
“Pinot Noirs are best known for their fruity tasting notes and silky tannins.” -Liquor Laboratory
The soft tannins add a velvety texture, enhancing the overall experience. This wine exemplifies the essence of a well-crafted Pinot Noir.
2. Ryder Estate 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $17.49 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 13.5% (ABV)
Nose: Strawberry, raspberry, cherry
Palate: Luscious strawberry, raspberry, cherry
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: The Ryder Estate 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir boasts strawberries, raspberries, and cherries, creating a crisp and fragrant introduction.
Upon tasting, my palate welcomes the dark fruit, fresh raspberries, and cherries.
What truly captivates my taste buds is the refined tannins and refreshing acidity of the Pinot Noir that complements the savory notes of grilled chicken.
3. The Pinot Project 2020 Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $14.66 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 13.5% (ABV)
Nose: Black cherries, sweet spice, oak
Palate: Medium body, bright acidity, red berries
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: The Pinot Project’s Pinot Noir has a silky and full-mouth feel and boasts a vibrant acidity. It has impressive tasting notes that punch down from the first sip to the finish.
It has notable toasty oak and soft tannins, unlike other Pinot Noir wines. The delicious red wine complements great with Mushroom Risotto and Grilled Salmon.
4. Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $20 (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 14.5 %(ABV)
Nose: Fresh raspberry, baking spices, and strawberry flavors
Palate: Red berries, cherry, raspberry, earthy notes
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: Kendall-Jackson is a California Pinot Noir aged in French and American oak for 9.5 months.
Uncorking the bottle, I immediately noticed the hints of cherry, raspberry, vanilla, and cedar aromas. It is a medium-bodied Pinot Noir with mild spice and fruity-tasting notes.
5. District 7 Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $16 (Cheers & Co)
Alcohol Content: 13.5% (ABV)
Nose: Red fruit, pomegranate, mocha, vanilla
Palate: Black cherry, currants, raspberries, with sweet oak finish
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: District 7 uses grapes grown from their Estate and boasts elegant and balanced aromas of cherries, pomegranates, raspberries, and vanilla.
It is a medium-bodied wine with acidity and oakiness from aging in French oak for ten months.
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6. Maggio Family Vineyards Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $11.94 (Empire Wine & Liquor)
Alcohol Content: 13.2% (ABV)
Nose: Red fruit, blackberry, plum
Palate: Blackberry, dark fruit, cherry, raspberry
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: As I pour Maggio Family Pinot Noir into a glass, the floral, raspberry, and cherry notes pop into my nose.
As a wine enthusiast, the red wine’s gentle acidity and medium-bodied profile are memorable in every sip.
7. 2020 J. Lohr Falcon’s Perch Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $17 (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 13.9% (ABV)
Nose: Fruit notes, sagebrush, dried cherry
Palate: Wild strawberries, camphor, cherry, black tea
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: 2020 J. Lohr Falcon’s Perch is an affordable red wine with fresh aromas of pepper and cherry.
The fresh acidity allowed sagebrush and cranberry-tasting notes to stand out. It is a medium-bodied wine that complements great with Spanish chorizo.
8. Meiomi Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $16.97 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 14.6% (ABV)
Nose: Juicy strawberry, toasted mocha, and dark berries
Palate: Bright fruit jam, oak, mocha
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: Meiomi Pinot Noir owes its complexity to the grapes from the vineyard sites in Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, and Willamette Valley.
The tasting notes are impressive- from the aroma to the finish of the red wine. Sipping it slowly, the red wine carries beautiful cherry and raspberry flavors.
Read: Pinot Noir & Pinot Grigio Comparison
9. McManis 2021 Certified Sustainable Estate-Grown Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $13.99 (Wine.com)
Alcohol Content: 13.5% (ABV)
Nose: Plum, cherry, vanilla
Palate: Dark berries, cinnamon, plumbs, cherries
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: McManis 2021 is a budget-friendly Pinot Noir with generous and medium-bodied tasting notes. It has remarkable plums and cinnamon notes.
I find it easy to drink because it is light in tannins.
10. Wine by Joe Pinot Noir
Average Price: Roughly $19 (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 13.5% (ABV)
Nose: Dark fruits, candied cherry, cocoa powder
Palate: Plum, cherry, warm spice, cigar box
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: Wine by Joe Pinot Noir is an affordable red wine with intriguing tasting notes and complexity.
“Almost any well-made Willamette Valley… Pinot Noir should easily age 15.” -Adam Campbell, Winemaker
I noticed its medium-high acidity, but I am more curious because It tasted like some cocoa powder and a cigar box after multiple sips. It is an approachable wine, smooth but weighty on my palate.
*Note: The star rating was determined based on a blind test, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Each product was evaluated on its overall quality, flavor profile, complexity, smoothness, and enjoyment.
FAQs
How can you tell a good Pinot Noir?
You can tell that it’s a good Pinot Noir if it is velvety on the tongue and boasts an excellent aromatic. The wine has silky tannins, bright acidity, and evident berry flavors [1].
What is the best age for Pinot Noir?
The best age for Pinot Nour is around 10 years to 15 years. As it ages, you can expect that the tasting notes are more developed, leaving a remarkable aroma, palate, and finish [2].
Why is Mark West Pinot Noir often recommended in the under $20 category?
Mark West Pinot Noir offers great value with its smooth texture, ripe fruit flavors, and subtle oak influence. It’s approachable, easy to drink, and widely available at an affordable price.
What sets Meiomi Pinot Noir apart as a great option in this price range?
Meiomi Pinot Noir is known for its lush and fruit-forward style, featuring flavors of ripe berries, dark cherries, and a hint of spice. It offers complexity and depth typically found in more expensive wines.
Can you recommend a specific vintage of La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir under $20?
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir consistently delivers quality across vintages. Look for recent releases to enjoy its fresh fruit expression and characteristic Sonoma Coast terroir.
Are there other notable producers of Pinot Noir worth exploring in the under $20 category?
Yes, producers like Castle Rock Winery, Acronym Pinot Noir, and Bread & Butter Pinot Noir also offer high-quality wines at affordable prices, showcasing the diversity of the varietal.
In Conclusion
Most people believe that to find a good bottle of Pinot Noir, you should be willing to spend a bit, but after our series of tastings, I realized there are impressive bottlings that don’t cost a fortune.
Out of all the wines we tasted, Old Soul Pinot Noir emerges as the best Pinot Noir under $20. Despite its price, the red wine has no compromise in the tasting notes.
The red fruit’s aroma, soft tannins, fruitiness, and the right balance of acidity in the wine are stunning for its price.
What’s your go-to affordable Pinot Noir wine? Let us know in the comments.
References:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/pinot-noir-wines-3511077
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/wine/Aging-and-bottling
