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.

Top Ten: California La Crema pinot noir is always on the hedonistic spectrum emphasizing soft, ripe black cherry with a fair lashing of oak. In this case, there is a piney, spicy, smoky worsteshire ‘Oregon’ undercurrent that balances the overall weight and ripeness of this wine. This is just entering its prime drinking window but should be fine for another two or three years. Serve with turkey, pork or salmon to best effect.

Though a fruit-focused Pinot Noir, it delivers a hint of leafy flavors that keeps it in balance. Mild tannins lend support without intruding on its plush texture so it would be a good choice for drinking this summer. It finishes bright, not sweet, which is another plus. What’s truly amazing is the price -- a bargain for Pinot Noir.

Light cherry red color in the glass. Striking aromas of Bing cherry, cola and spicy oak hold up in the glass over time. Deliciously fruited core of cherry, strawberry and cranberry flavors enhanced by a touch of oak spice and nutmeg. Crisp and juicy, with milky tannins and a silky mouthfeel. A thorough enjoyable offering perfect as a daily table wine. A most outstanding value priced Pinot Noir and amazing quality considering the huge production.

This Russian River Pinot Noir is fresh and vibrant with supple tannins, which create a suave texture. Savory elements balance the fresh fruit notes. Not overdone, this Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for current drinking.

At 12,155 cases, the delicious 2013 Pinot Noir Russian River is the largest cuvée. It exhibits classic notes from Russian River, including loamy soil/earthy notes along with black cherry jam, baking spices and fruit cake aromas as well as a hint of sassafras. This is a meaty, fleshy, reasonably well-endowed Pinot Noir to drink over the next 2-4 years.

Juicy and crisp with bright cherry and spice; tangy and silky with spice and elegant style; long, bright and balanced.

Smooth and lush with dense texture and ripe berry fruit; rich and dense, ripe and balanced.

Pliant, open-knit and expressive, the 2013 is a super-classic Russian River Pinot built on exuberant fruit and pure raciness. Sweet red plum, cherry jam, spices and pomegranate are all pushed forward. Even with all of its up-front intensity, the 2013 retains plenty of energy and focus throughout. The 2013 is expressive and very nicely done.

Supple, velvety and well-focused, offering a deft mouthful of black cherry and apricot flavors, playing against polished tannins as the finish persists and expands.