Pinot Noir, California and Oregon.

In this $20 to $50 tasting, the Pinot Noir wines were purchased from Food Lion with 3 from California and one from Oregon.

🍇 Pinot Noir: The Elegant Classic

Pinot Noir is known for its light to medium body, silky tannins, and bright acidity, often expressing flavors like cherry 🍒, raspberry, cranberry, earth, mushroom 🍄, and spice. It's a grape that reflects its terroir strongly:

• California Pinot Noir (esp. Sonoma, Santa Barbara): typically fruit-forward with notes of ripe red fruits, vanilla, and baking spices due to oak aging.

• Oregon Pinot Noir (esp. Willamette Valley): more earthy, structured, and restrained, showcasing tart red fruit, forest floor, and minerality.

🥂 Wines Tasted (in order of tasting)

🍷 1. Raeburn Pinot Noir (Wine D)

• State/Region: Sonoma County, California

• Country: USA

• Vintage: 2023

• Price: $25

• Store: Unknown

• Scores: Lynn – 11 | Scott – 11 | Combined: 22

• Lynn Buy Again? ❌ No

• Scott Buy Again? ✅ Yes (for home, not parties)

• Tasting Notes:

  • Pretty, light ruby color

  • Berry aromas with a leathery/cherry note 👃

  • Pleasant finish but lacked standout flavor

  • Light and easy-drinking, but not memorable

  • Compared to typical Sonoma Pinot: less fruit-forward than expected

🍷 2. Meiomi Pinot Noir (Wine A)

• State/Region: California (Campo, CA)

• Country: USA

• Vintage: 2022

• Price: $23.99

• Store: Food Lion

• Scores: Lynn – 18 | Scott – 12 | Combined: 30

• Lynn Buy Again? ✅ Yes (would bring to a neighborhood party)

• Scott Buy Again? ✅ Yes (for home, not parties)

• Tasting Notes:

  • Light and fruity 🍒

  • Cherry candy, juice box sweetness 🍬

  • Mildly acidic, soft tannins

  • Pleasant and accessible — easy crowd-pleaser

  • A classic California Pinot Noir: ripe, sweet fruit-forward expression

🍷 3. Battle Creek Unconditional Pinot Noir (Wine C)

• State/Region: Dundee, Oregon

• Country: USA

• Vintage: 2022

• Price: $26

• Store: Unknown

• Scores: Lynn – 12 | Scott – 11 | Combined: 23

• Lynn Buy Again? ✅ Yes (for home)

• Scott Buy Again? ✅ Yes (for home)

• Tasting Notes:

  • Dark color, appeared more aged

  • Earthy aroma with licorice and blackberries 🌿🍇

  • Stronger tannins but muted taste

  • Finish lingered, but overall lacking flavor impact

  • Represents Oregon style: earthy and structured, but this bottle lacked depth

🍷 4. Josh Reserve Pinot Noir (Wine B)

• State/Region: Santa Barbara County, California

• Country: USA

• Vintage: 2023

• Price: $23

• Store: Unknown

• Scores: Lynn – 11 | Scott – 14 | Combined: 25

• Lynn Buy Again? ❌ No

• Scott Buy Again? ✅ Yes (would bring to a party)

• Tasting Notes:

  • Very light color, almost rosé-like

  • Mild nose, hints of licorice and cherries

  • Super light body, minimal fruit flavor

  • Good for those who dislike strong wine flavors

  • Unusual for Santa Barbara, which typically has richer, fruit-forward Pinots

🏆 WINNER: Meiomi Pinot Noir (Wine A)

🥇 Combined Score: 30 (Lynn 18 + Scott 12)
Why it won:

• 🍒 Most fruit-forward and flavorful of the group

• 🍷 Balanced and easy to drink

• 🎉 Lynn would take it to a party – a big endorsement!

• 🛍️ Affordable and widely available

Winner !!