2016 California Value-Priced Pinot Noir All-Americans

My readers indicate to me that there is a large demand for reasonably priced (below $40) Pinot Noir that also has a quality level that is in the Outstanding range. Here are 25 Pinot Noirs that I sampled in 2016 that fit into that category, all scoring 90 or above, ranging in price from $15 to $36. For large production wines that are widely available in retail wine stores and grocery stores, look to Carmel Road, La Crema and Migration California brands, and Adelsheim, Elk Cove and Ponzi Willamette Valley, Oregon, brands.

2013 Briceland Vineyards Alderpoint Vineyard Humboldt County Pinot Noir $33 94
2014 Lichen Estate Moonglow Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $35 93
2014 Manzoni Home Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir $35 93
2014 Jacqueline Bahue Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir $19.99 92 (NakedWines.com)
2014 Mignanelli KW Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir $32 92
2014 Siduri Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir $35 92
2013 Brutocao Cellars Slow Lope’n Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $24 91
2014 Donkey & Goat Helluva Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $34 91
2014 On Point (Fulcrum) Christinna’s Cuvée North Coast Pinot Noir $36 91
2015 Vaughn Duffy Wines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $36 91
2014 Weatherborne Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir $35 91
2014 Brach Mountain Wine Co. Cyprus Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $30 90
2014 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir $25 90
2015 Cosa Obra Sonomy County Pinot Noir $28 90
2014 Daryl Rex Groom D.R.G. Highmark Ridge Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $18.99 90 (NakedWines.com)
2014 Daryl Rex Groom D.R.G. River Road Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $18.99 90 (NakedWines.com)
2014 Elke Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $36 90
2013 Joseph Jewell Alderpoint Vineyard Humboldt County Pinot Noir $34 90
2014 La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir $23 90
2014 Mignanelli Highlands Ranch Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir $32 90
2014 Migration Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $38 90
2014 Nielson by Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir $29 90
2012 O’Connor Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $33 90 2014 Ocean View San Luis Obispo Pinot Noir $14.99 90 2014 Vaughn Duffy Wines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $36 90