Today we look at a California pinot that I bought for $13, on sale — usually $15.
Whoa! Kenwood Russian River Valley 2009 pinot noir is damn good! It really tastes like pinot noir. It’s easy-drinking, at 13.5% alcohol. And it’s delicious– I want to keep drinking glass after glass.
Who knew? This label seems like such a huge, mass-production winery. It’s not. Then again, it’s not a tiny boutique, either. I have to admit, I did not expect a pinot noir from this label to be this good. It is medium-bodied, so it’s not “see-through” in your glass. Yet, it won’t overpower whatever you’re eating. It has that very “pinot” combination of roses, cola, cherry and mushroom, with a bit of spice. It’s on the juicier side of things, rather than earthy and dry. And it has zero — zero — pinot noir “stinkyness,” which many people love, but I am not so crazy about.
This is a great middle-of-the-road, non-controversial pinot noir. If somebody tells you to bring pinot to a dinner party, bring Kenwood Russian River. Sure, there are some that are a little better at $15, like the Mark West Santa Lucia Highlands — but that is a limited production wine. Considering availability, I am not sure that anything at this price beats Kenwood. And if you can find it for $13 as I did, it’s a no-brainer.
Highly recommended.
Wineguider wine reviews 
Just in time! I’m headed out to pick up some reds to go with an Italian meal I’m serving to an old friend tonight. I’ll see if I can find it. Thanks.
Kenwood is always a good value. For information on it as well as the other 90-some wineries of the Sonoma Valley see http://SonomaValleyWineries.org/ . Also, check out the “One Perfect Day in Sonoma Valley” accounts of activities, restaurants, etc. not to miss when you’re here.