...and the widely available 86-point Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir are fine reminders that quality can be had at a good price for those who search with a keen eye.

Earthy pinot noir with black cherry and currant flavors along with a touch of sweet vanillin oak.

A nose of darker oak and toast notes underscore the black plum and wild strawberry. Soy and savory herb can also be found; similar flavors, plus vanilla and tart blackberry on the long finish; which shows a bit of alcoholic heat.

Kendall-Jackson's 2006 Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir was soft and cherryish...

...or look for Kendall-Jackson's lighter, more peppery 2006 Vintner's Reserve.

How refreshing to find such a widely available, well-priced pinot making the top match for our shrimp and grits. This easy-to-drink wine delivers vibrant black cherry and plum flavors with a touch of spice.

...is an elegant composition of dried cherry, currants, pomegranate, cranberry, and leather.

Kendall-Jackson makes a very good, black cherry-inflected, single-vineyard Pinot, the 2005 Highland Estates Seco Highlands that would be perfect...

Shows real Pinot character in the light silkiness, nice acidity, and flavors of cherries, cream and vanilla spice. If you're just starting to get into the variety, this is a good into.

A fruity young red is a match for Turkey Day. For pinot noir, look for the spicy, medium-weight 2005 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir.

A Burgundian style. Earthy with notes of cherry and smoke.

Quite rich on the nose - dense. Full yet refreshing. Precision winemaking. 11 shoots per metre. Crop thinned. Very easy and gentle. South side picked 10 days earlier than the north side. Sits on the Santa Lucia Highlands line.

Here's a Pinot that shows all the classic, cool-climate qualities of the variety, from silky tannins and crisp acids to cherry cola flavors and a spicy finish.

Definitely Pinot Noir, quite rich. Sweet. But fresh too. Very lively.

Solid, well-made merlot from California. Jammy strawberry flavors, sweet vanillin oak.

...enjoyable quaffer.

Very Good. Blueberry, smoke, black cherry, violet, vanilla and toast nose, firm entry with blackberry, oak, licorice and cherry flavors; ripe and juicy with a long finish.

Juicy and easy to drink, with vanilla and raspberry fruit and hints of spice. Drink now.

This Pinot is very dry, and it fulfills the basic varietal requirements of a silky texture with crisp acids. You'll find modest flavors of cherries and leather.

We've been saying for some time now that American Pinot Noir has become one of the the most consistently satisfying bets on the wine shelf...The trend of good Pinots at low prices has not only continued, it's accelerated...Five of our favorite wines are sometimes available for $10 or less: Camelot, Kendall-Jackson, Cartlidge & Browne, Sterling and Trinchero. Interesting and different, with some cream and also some depth. A repeat favorite.