I’ve always been struck that California and Oregon Pinot Gris lacks the richness, palate weight and viscosity of Pinot Gris made in Alsace. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it is a difference that draws unrealistic and unfair comparisons to the wine’s European cousin. New World Pinot Gris typically falls somewhere between the lushness of Alsatian Pinot Gris and light-bodied, crisp Italian Pinot Grigio. La Crema’s Monterey Pinot Gris is a good example. It has a modicum of richness that is beyond most Pinot Grigio but is far from lush. This vintage offers an almond, marzipan note as well as nuance of lemon oil and pear. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable Pinot Gris even if it fails to imitate Alsatian Pinot Gris, as so many critics would prefer.

Ten Value Wines for the Holidays I've always been struck that California and Oregon pinot grigio lacks the richness, palate weight and viscosity of pinot grigio made in Alsace. That's not necessarily a bad thing. But it is a difference that draws unrealistic and unfair comparisons to the wine's European cousin. New World pinot grigio typically falls somewhere between the lushness of Alsatian pinot grigio and light-bodied, crisp Italian pinot grigio. La Crema's Monterey version is a good example. It has a modicum of richness that is beyond most pinot grigio but is far from lush. This vintage offers a marzipan note, as well as nuance of lemon oil and pear.

This pinot is Russian River Valley in its texture, in the balance of softness and firmness it strikes, the fruit so ripe it's tarry and black, yet still fresh. Flavors of blackberry, rose and cherry merge in a density that remains clean and clear. It's still grapey, a bit blocky in its youth, but this is structured to age.

Gold Medal

Floral, silky, savoury. Expect smoked cherries and dried rose petals, brown spice, vanilla, leather and tealeaf on the nose.The palate is supple with a silky texture and echoes the nose with its sweet yet savoury character. Good balance here, a classic harmonious La Crema.

13 West Coast Pinots at 90+ Points New reviews of elegant reds from California and Oregon Dried cherry, allspice and poached plum flavors show plenty of hot stone and brick notes, with cardamom and sandalwood details on the creamy finish.

Let me take you on a Pinot Noir journey California is known for its sunshine in a glass style of wine, which comes into play in many of that state’s Pinot Noir. But elegance, freshness and delicacy balance that fruit forward expression of Pinot Noir at the higher price points. Such is the case with this bottle, which became a Vintages Essential last May. It exudes soft talc and cool cranberry, warm violet and gentle beetroot on the nose. Then, a beam-like entry of cool fruit broadens and begins unfolding with elements found on the nose along with brawny nuances of warm tobacco and toasted hazelnut.

Jammy and almost sticky in that classic California-pinot way, this comes from the relatively cool Sonoma Coast, so it’s not without acid freshness. But it’s lifted more by a suggestion of spices, due in part to nine months in oak (25 per cent of it new). Good depth as well as an earthy-tobacco undercurrent.

Elegantly layered aromas of black cherry, wet sage and tobacco make for a rich and nuanced entry to this single-vineyard bottling. The palate is loaded with juicy cherry and mint flavors, proving quite powerful but still very approachable.

Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose is earthbound with added fruit aromas of black cherry and ripe berries and a subtle infusion of Asian spice. An engaging wine with open arms, offering tasty black cherry, boysenberry and plum fruit flavors infused with the right amount of oak spice. Gracious and harmonious, with a noticeably extended finish.

Earthy, big and bold, this speaks well to fans of a full-bodied, fruit-forward style. Boysenberry, black cherry and cola are complemented by savory teases of coffee and black licorice.

The fruit on this pricey pinot from La Crema is front-loaded. There's plenty of red-berry goodness, and the wine shows impressive weight on the palate. The rub for those who would rush home and open it tonight is that the finish is a work in progress. This wine needs another year or two in the bottle for the finish to lengthen. If you can be patient, you've got a winner.

Thick tannins gird the powerful fruit in this wine—a mix of red cherry and strawberry that mellows with time in the glass. Toasted oak and baking spice touches provide additional context and pleasure.

Vintages: this wine is a cool climate offering, so much as current California "heat" would allow, from the coast coolness in the evening and the early morning, and with fruit (ten different clones) from eleven different vineyards. Head winemaker Craig McAllister celebrated his tenth anniversary with La Crema, and here has crafted a minor gem. Expect a combo of cherry-berry, underbrush, some (but low) oaking, some mocha, spices. I had it with roasted chicken thighs; it went very well.

There are lots of cedary accents to the raspberry, cherry and red currant flavors in this red, which is crisp midpalate, with a tensile finish that lingers with juniper berry notes.

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Open Gate opens with a perfume of ripe cherries, pomegranate and roses with hints of pepper and wild thyme. Medium-bodied, it has a great backbone of grainy tannins and lively acid supporting the elegant, perfumed red berry flavors, finishing with very good length.

La Crema's latest RRV pinot shows a floral and spice nose, followed by bright cherry fruit on the palate with a modest touch of oak. Well balanced, with bright acidity, this is a beautiful complement to roast duck or chicken.

A more linear style here to this pinot with dried berry, walnut and cedar follow through to a medium to full body, firm tannins and a crisp finish. Drink in 2019.

20 over $20

The 2014 Pinot Noir Shell Ridge, from the estate vineyard in Annapolis, is the most complete of the wines I tasted. This is a relatively juicy style for the coast, with lovely depth to the red-toned fruit flavors. Savory, spice and earthy underpinnings add aromatic nuance throughout. I would prefer to drink this over the next few years. All the elements fall into place in this effortless, gracious Pinot. There is plenty to like, that much is obvious. It would be great to see all the La Crema wines at this level.

This lush wine offers true value, deeply flavored in strawberry and cherry. A tannic foundation supports the fruit beside black tea, clove and a twist of orange and cranberry, with a soft and smooth texture.

Top Ten: California La Crema Sonoma Coast is cool climate California and over the years this pinot has been leaned out to reflect the site and frankly where this wine should go. Svelte by California pinot noir standards, it is a mix of clones fermented in small open-top tanks and aged in French oak, a quarter of which is new. Look for spicy red fruits, cherries and wild raspberries with earthy, cedary, savoury undercurrents. The style is soft and ready-to-drink. Try this with duck, pizza, roasted birds or salmon.

Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Fruit aromas of black cherry and black raspberry are complimented by aromas of savory herbs and toasty oak, with the oak showing up more over time in the glass. Middleweight flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry are underlain with subtle smoky oak. Good intensity of flavor, integrated ripe tannins, and a juicy finish driven by bracing acidity.

La Crema is well-known for its Californian Pinot Noir, and here we are with their Oregonian version from the Willamette Valley that savoury and mouth-watering. A luscious, medium-bodied, satin-smooth Oregonian Pinot Noir with classic aromas of fleshy ripe cherry and berry and some mocha. Racy acidity on the palate from this cool climate. Pair with grilled salmon or seared tuna.