The 2012 Pinot Noir Jackson Estate Seco Highlands is one of the bigger, riper wines in this lineup. Black cherries, cloves, menthol, new leather and licorice inform the juicy, opulent finish. A hint of overripeness gives the Seco Highlands a bit of awkwardness. Otherwise, this is a solid effort.

The 2012 Pinot Noir Vintner’s Reserve Special Select is 100% Pinot Noir coming mostly from Monterey County with a small quantity from Santa Barbara County. It was aged primarily in French oak and a small dosage of American oak, only 19% new. The wine’s light ruby color is followed by pretty strawberry and berry-like aromas and flavors, a delicious, medium-bodied, nicely textured mouthfeel, and good purity as well as silkiness. Moreover, as Pinot Noir goes, this is a reasonable value. It should be drunk over the next 1-2 years.

Fresh, generous and simple with clean notes of cherry, spice and earth; tangy, clean and balanced.

A very nice Pinot Noir that's dry and silky, with satisfying cherry, cola, oak and spice flavors. Not one to age, but fine for drinking now, and easily as good as many Pinots costing more.

A silky pinot noir with juicy cherry flavors that finish on the simple flavors of sweet grapes. For charcuterie.

The 2010 Pinot Noir Vintner's Reserve is an attractive, juicy red. Sweet roses, flowers, spices and berries linger on the finish. This mid-weight, feminine wine is about as good a Pinot as readers will find for the money. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014.

Medium ruby color; earthy berry and stewed cherry aromas; ripe, earthy stewed cherry flavors with good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy, Pinot with forward fruit.

Good inexpensive Pinot Noir has never been in big supply, and, beyond being a fruity and varietally honest version that hits the right marks at a very good price, this commendable effort is all the easier to like as it is not at all hard to find. It is keen on ripe cherries and shows a touch of sweet oak, and its wholesale lack of angles and edges makes for pleasant drinking right now.

Notes of plum sauce, cranberries, earthy red cherries and loamy soil result in an authentic Pinot Noir tasting effort. Medium-bodied, soft and delicious, it should drink well for 2-4 years. Kendall-Jackson enjoys a well-deserved reputation for over-delivering quality vis à vis price for its wines. Any offering from Kendall-Jackson bearing the Vintner's Reserve designation will offer much more quality than its humble price suggests.

A fine everyday Pinot Noir with some extra features that boost the score. With hints of mint, white pepper and chamomile tea, the wine shows racy flavors of cherries, cola, raspberries and sandalwood.

This is a big, powerful, tannic Pinot Noir, almost Rhône-like in its weight and density. Shows flavors of plums, blackberries, cola, mocha and cedar. Rustic now, but could develop soft complexities over the next six years.

Here's a nice Pinot Noir that shows cool, coastal influence in the crispness and overall balance. It's not a big, rich wine, but quite elegant, with suggestions of cherries, herbs and sandalwood.

A little brittle in texture and transparent in flavor, with cherry, cola, herb tea and spice. Fine and clean, but tends toward lightness. Call it elegant, and enjoy with roast salmon, grilled lamp chops.

The 2006 Pinot Noir Grand Reserve is also a decent value. Crisp underlying acidity focuses the plum, black cherry, and earthiness of the wine as well as the dark ruby color and soft tannins. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.

The 2005 Highland Estates Pinot Noir Seco is a crisp, cool climate example of Pinot offering cranberry, tart cherry, earth, and oak characteristics. Medium-bodied and charming, it should drink well for 2-4 years.

Medium ruby color; light aromas of spice and strawberry; light, bit sharp, cherry and strawberry fruit; some tannin, lingering finish. Lighter, leaner style of Pinot with good fruit flavor.

Medium ruby color; light, earthy, cherry aromas; light, lean, red cherry flavors with a bit of earthy and toasty notes; lingering finish. Good middle of the road style with bright fruit and just a bit of earthy complexity.

Exhibits notes of cranberries, strawberries, and plums as well as an elegant, medium-bodied personality with a cool-climate feel. It should age nicely for 4-6 years.

A rustic style, with a rich band of anise, wild berry and cherry fruit that's concentrated. Unfolds to reveal an earthy, mineral scent. Drink now through 2008.

Medium-deep ruby color; spicy, stewed cherry and plum aromas, a hint of smoky oak; stewed cherry and plum flavors, silky on the palate, some smoky oak notes; good balance; lingering finish. This is a nice Pinot with some good developed fruit character.

A wine that has improved dramatically over the last few years in the Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir. There are 100,000+ cases of the 2003, a blend of 98% Pinot Noir and 2% Syrah, all produced from Sonoma Coast and North Coast vineyards. Aged completely in French barrels, with malolactic in barrel (17% new oak), it offers classic Pinot characteristics of forest floor, figs, plums, red currants, and cherries along with a touch of smoke in the background. This round, tasty Pinot must be tasted to be fully appreciated.

Exhibits herb, plum, cherry, and floral notes, medium body, a soft, round texture, and well-integrated wood and acidity.

Nicely perfumed rose petal, plum and black cherry aromas make an easy, graceful entry on the palate, showing a hint of tartness but also zesty raspberry and wild berry notes. Clean and well structured. Drink now through 2009. 202 cases made.

A delicate, subtle style, weaving together hints of smoke, charred wood, wet earthen floor and cherry-raspberry flavors that linger. Mild tannins.