A balanced, restrained zin with lush fruit. 2½ stars, very good.

Pinot Noir Masters 2019: Gold

Santa Barbara Chardonnay And Pinot Noir Are Made By The Ocean 2016 Nielson Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County: red fruit, crushed violets, mineral, crisp.

Dark cherry and plum fruit aromatics are evident, spiced with clove, cinnamon and wood smoke. Dark cherry again on the palate with strawberry, boysenberry and olallieberry along with brown baking spices. Fifteen months in French oak (15 percent new) gives this wine an exalted pedigree not usually associated with bottlings at this price point (those French barrels have become really expensive). A pinot that's juicy, refined and elegant yet still full of vigor and life. Open-knit and well-modulated, it's very mouth-filling and tasty all the way to the rich and lengthy finish.

Fairly light in aromas, this bottling shows red cherry and raspberry fruit lifted with an herbal edge of crushed thyme. The palate is also dainty in flavors, clinging to wet slate and cement minerality more so than fruit, although touches of cranberry and hibiscus notes do arise.

The bright berry fruit on the nose just jumps out of the glass: raspberry, cherry and cranberry with hints of rose petal. Straightforward and direct, it's fruit focus follows the aromatics: black cherry and raspberry, along with candied violets and brewed and steeped black tea. Not necessarily complex or textured, it nevertheless engages you on midpalate with very accessible drink-me-now (in gulps) flavors. A pinot for immediate consumption and a good weeknight choice for casual dining with friends. Don't overthink it, just drink it.

Great Wine Values: Nielson Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Calif. Pinot noir is a natural choice when we crave lighter red wines in the summertime. This is especially true for those sourced from cool-climate vineyards that clock in below 14 percent alcohol. These two factors yield tangy and refreshing pinot noirs that make perfect partners for summer’s lighter fare. But pinot noir is called the heartbreak grape for a reason — the unfortunate challenge for its fans lies in finding wines that are both well-made and reasonably priced, since so few can be found for less than $25. That’s why it’s worth snapping up some of this affordable example from Santa Barbara County while it’s on sale this month. Nielson is a so-called “second label,” a budget-minded line of wines from Byron, one of California’s pinot pioneers. To keep the price accessible, Byron sources the fruit from local growers rather than from Byron’s famed estate terroirs. They also use only 5 percent new French oak barrels during maturation, as compared to 35 percent for its top-tier cuvées. The result is a playful summer-weight pinot noir, with fresh-picked strawberry and raspberry flavors and an undercurrent of outdoorsy earthiness.

7 Winter Warmer Red Wines To Help Beat the Cold Bright red cherry, milk chocolate, white pepper and a smoky glaze.

Break out some of the best California Chardonnays in decades 2015 Byron Nielson, taut, citrus, spice.

Wines on the Wing 2018

ANA adds 54 new wines to onboard and lounge menus

Why make a different chardonnay? Because you can! And, in fact, this is something completely different. You can immediately sense that this chard is more structured, more linear and more focused. Peach and nectarine show up on the nose, along with orange/tangerine peel. A pleasant soft landing in the mouth of stone fruit, orange and peach blossom along with barrel spice from 10 months in French oak (30 percent new). Very much a stricter and more classical interpretation of local chardonnay; less of a cocktail wine and more of a food wine with its finely chiseled acidity.

Plenty of apple, citrus and pear on the nose with a bit of tropical influence (pineapple) as well. Remarkably fresh, fruity and vibrant on the palate. The tropical fruit becomes more evident, but it's brisk and breezy, not overwhelming, with apple and citrus making another appearance. Bright and sunny, it has a modicum of texture on midpalate. Well-balanced and well-structured, it's a great expression of what Santa Barbara County chardonnay is all about. It's actually quite remarkable that this bottling comes in under $20. Most chardonnays at this price point are boringly generic; this one offers character and a distinct sense of place.

Light and crisp, with flavors of lemons, limes and mangos, smooth finish.

Shortages are looming, so buy your holiday wines now Drinking at home has its advantages, beginning with the cost. Our wine expert has some tasty wine suggestions that will still keep your holiday entertaining budget in check. The holiday party season is in full swing leaving more decisions about which wines to buy whether you are entertaining at home or heading out to celebrate with friends... The good news is drinking at home has its advantages, beginning with a cost cut of at least 50 per cent. That’s right, the home wine list is sans any markups in restaurants or bars, but while drinking twice as much for the same price is attractive we suggest spending 20 or 30 per cent more and drinking better while still saving money. Here are our suggestions: ...Pinot Noir will be in demand and you will need a pair:...Murphy-Goode Pinot Noir 2016, California.

Tom Simoneau's Wines of the Year 2018 Best Value Red: Murphy-Goode, 2016 Pinot Noir, California, $15 It’s been said you can’t make a good Pinot for under $25. Well I’m here to tell you Dave Ready Jr., Winemaker for Murphy-Goode has and the list price is $15. And the wine is often discounted. Pour this baby blind with some high priced Pinots and it will hold its own. Showing cherry berry fruit and bright acidity.

Dry, refreshing, sturdy acidity — this is the white to pour with broiled seafood or roasted chicken dishes. Think crisp lemon, tart grapefruit, white stone fruit and pear with an herbal streak in the finish.

Light and lively, with aromas and flavors of ripe pears and cinnamon.

A good value, this light-bodied wine with citrus notes is an easy quaffer. Round in the mouth with delicious fruit flavors.

If you wonder what all the interest in Pinot Noir is about, start here. Murphy-Goode delivers incredible quality for the price. This Pinot is sourced off cool vineyards up and down the Cali coast from areas including Monterey, Santa Barbara and Mendocino. It’s juicy and packed with Pinot character: black cherry, strawberry, spice, cola and vanilla. It’s aged in French and American oak. It’s an intense dark color with good texture on the palate and bracing acidity for structure.

Good price for a wine this rich and balanced. It's honeyed, with orange and apricot fruit.

Light and crisp, with flavors of ripe pears and golden apples.

A simple, direct Pinot Noir, light and silky in the mouth, with jammy raspberry, cherry, date and brown sugar flavors.

Finally, be on the lookout for the widely available Murphy-Goode California 2011. It may not match the range or the depth of its high-ticket mates, but it is clean, nicely balanced and delivers plenty of honest Pinot fruit at a price that is easy to take.