Stunning, extremely high quality, layers of flavors, balance and finesse. 3½ stars, superb.

2018’s Most Memorable Wines – and Moment Vineyard of the Year Zena Crown Vineyard in the Eola-Amity AVA in Oregon has consistently produced some of Oregon’s most impressive wine for the Good Vitis palate. The 115 acre vineyard, planted in the early 2000s, was more recently purchased by Jackson Family Wines who created a winery, called Zena Crown, to showcase its qualities. Additionally, some fruit from the vineyard is sold to several notable wineries, including Beaux Frères and Soter, not to mention the wineries listed below. The vineyard is planted on a southwest-facing slope of volcanic soil that begins at 300 feet of elevation and tops out at 650 feet. It is divided into 17 blocks, each of which has a unique combination of gradient, aspect, soil depths. Vines include a variety of pinot noir clones. All told, the vineyard is quite capable in producing a diversity of pinot noir wine. In 2018, we were lucky enough to try a variety of wines made from Zena Crown Vineyard’s goods, including some tasted in the region. Not all were scored, but several were written about on Good Vitis, including: 2015 Hartford Family Winery Princess Warrior Block Zena Crown Vineyard – This has a deep, serious nose boasting aromas of briar berry compote, dark dusty cocoa, graphite, lavender, tar and candied red apple. It’s nimble on the palate, exhibiting youthful finesse. The gorgeous tannins provide a sturdy frame, but don’t overpower while the acid is spot-on. Though I wouldn’t call the structure elegant, it has skillfully found a balance between power and finesse that’s intriguing. In the flavor department you get black and boysenberry, very dark chocolate, rose petals, lavender, Herbs de Provence, and wet soil. Though it’s good now, it will be better in five years. 92 points, value: C.

Wine+Food pairing recommendation

We followed the same program with diverse pinot noir releases from the Carneros to the coast. The 2015 Sevens Bench Vineyard Pinot Noir from Carneros, was lean, but earthy with expressive fruit flavors. The 2015 MacLean’s Block Pinot Noir comes from a small estate vineyard in the Russian River Valley that is surrounded by a redwood forest. Thus, there are forest floor and dark berry qualities on the nose and complex flavors with spice on the finish. From vineyards at higher elevations near the town of Annapolis, the 2015 Far Coast Vineyard Pinot Noir is the boldest and highest ranked among those produced by Hartford. Acute aromas open for earth driven flavors of fruit and spice that linger.

Earthy, complex flavors of dark fruit and herbs. 2½ stars.

9 Thanksgiving Wines that Support California Wine Country

The 30 Pinot Noirs to Drink If You Want to Be a Real Expert From a breathtaking coastal vineyard planted next to a Redwood grove, comes an equally breathtaking Pinot Noir. The chilly climes of Seascape Vineyard often push ripening all the way back to November, preserving mouthwatering acidity and adding depth. This is full of generous red and black fruits, savory herbs, silky tannins, and the unique imprint of this impressive terroir.

Pinot Noir is king in West Marin Forestville’s Hartford Family Winery entry on this list is both unfined and unfiltered, giving you real honest to goodness terroir in the wine. This Dijon-cloned West Marin offering shows its Burgundian side with softly vegetal notes accented by pomegranate, smoke and strawberry. Winemaker Jeff Stewart’s cool climate pinots often score in the mid to high 90s, and this one is right there with the rest. Not cheap, but that is what happens when you have a recognizable name.

Grapes from the estate and a small amount of purchased fruit combine in this deep-fruited, concentrated wine with earthy, dark-cherry aromas and flavors, silky texture and palate-whisking acidity.

The Russian River Valley is a cooler region in southern Sonoma County. Perfect conditions for a cool climate grape like Pinot Noir. This wine has a very pretty nose, showing floral, red fruit and sweet spices. It is dry, light bodied, and light tannins. Flavours of red fruit, red cherries and nutmeg. Some pepperiness as well. A very balanced wine, between the fruit, acidity and tannins. Delicious. 4½ - 5 stars.

There's a suppleness even with the size of this effort from Kendall-Jackson-affiliated Hartford Family - great toasted clove and mineral accents, luscious cherry and raspberry flavors, and a lingering sweetness.

Spicy aromas of clove and cherry leap from the glass of this lovely pinot, which manages to capture the fruit and charm of the Russian River Valley without the heaviness that often comes with them. It carries its alcohol well, too. My only (small) complaint is the that oak, which contributes to that spice, remains a bit strong on the finish.

Very fresh on the nose, note of blood orange, fine, very expressive, slightly exotic, elegant tannins, soft, persistent.

This wine, from the Green Valley subsection of the Russian River Valley appellation, showcases the dark-fruit character of pinot noir from this region, with Bing cherry and black berry flavors. Monument/Republic National: Available in the District at Calvert Woodley, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Harry’s Reserve Fine Wine & Spirits, Pearson’s, Wagshal’s Deli, Whole Foods Market (P Street); on the list at Marcel’s. Available in Maryland at Balducci’s, Beer Wine & Co. and Georgetown Square Wine and Beer in Bethesda; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits and Bin 201 in Annapolis; Bin 604 Wine Sellers and the Wine Source in Baltimore; Highland Wine & Spirits; Montgomery County Dispensary in Potomac; Roots Market in Olney; the Wine Rack in Ocean City. On the list at Black’s and Grapeseed in Bethesda. Available in Virginia at Out of Site Wines in Vienna, the Tasting Room Wine Bar & Shop in Reston; on the list at L’Auberge Chez François in Great Falls.

This winery, directed by Jackson Family Wines CEO Don Hartford and his wife, Jenny Jackson Hartford (Jess Jackson's daughter), has long produced notable Pinot Noirs. This medium-to light-bodied red shows lots of lively acidity as well as pleasing aromas of strawberries and cherries.

Muted cherry nose, but stylish. Fresh and zesty, sleek and elegant, with delicious fruit on a slender frame. Good length.

Intense and snappy, with a coarse edge to the crushed berry, anise and floral scents, ended with extracted, drying tannins.

Marimar Torres put on a tasting of 12 Pinot Noirs for the 2009 vintage, all showing robust ripeness and good Pinot character. Here is my ranking in descending order: Hartford Court Far Coast Vineyard, Sonoma...

Ripe, offering an intense mix of berry pie and jam flavors, raw tannins, smoke and cedary oak, ending with a chewy coarseness.

The ripe plum and wild berry flavors have a slightly baked edge, showing a touch of smoke and crust, delving into tar and anise.

Pick Scents for an Aroma Party - 2008 Fog Dance Vineyards from Sonoma.