Welcoming Autumn with California Pinot Noir

It’s almost officially Autumn and I am stoked. I’ve been spending a ton of time outdoors lately – climbing, hiking, birdwatching, doing some landscape photography – and the cooler, crisp mornings are like cold water to a parched palate for me.

I’m not a pumpkin spice person (no judgment), but I am waiting on a cooler weekend to make my first soup of the season. And for those light sweater weather days, after a hike or a day climbing, I will certainly be opening some California Pinot Noir.

I can't wait for days like this. Shenandoah National Park, October 2023

Yes, they’re good any time of year, but I love combing Autumnal weather and foods with some exquisite California Pinots – that mix of ripe fruit, with all the earth and floral tones I love. For me, I need a Pinot with some zip to it, and I tend toward the more red-fruited wines with savory tones.

This week, I want to highlight two such Pinots from Sonoma-Cutrer and Meyye Wines. I’m a big fan of Sonoma-Cutrer’s line of Chards, but this Winemaker Release Les Plus Haut cuvee really shows how they make Pinot Noir sing.

Meyye Wines is a thrilling new producer to watch. After making wine at Story Winery in the Sierra Foothills, Rom Campbell kicked off this project in 2022, making four wines from select sites across California. Their Pinot is delicious and unique, with a long life of development ahead. The bird nerd in me is excited about their labels, each of which honors a native bird of the region in its Native American Miwok name. The label art is fantastic, and the wines back it up with poise and beauty.

These wines were received as samples and tasted sighted.

2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Les Plus Haut - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $70
Juicy ruby color. Deep but vibrant aromas of black cherries, red plums, raspberries, with a host of floral, earthy, and spice nuances: rose petals, white pepper, tobacco, some anise, and black tea. This is a refreshing and juicy wine on the palate with smooth tannins and crisp acidity. Ripe but nuanced fruit, with raspberry jam, juicy plums, mixed with all sorts of cool notes like rose hips, rooibos tea, and some earthy tones. Lots of depth and complexity but also just a ton of fun and deliciousness. From the highest blocks of the estate vineyards Owsley Ranch and Vine Hill. (92 points)

2021 Meyye Wines Pinot Noir 'Omay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Petaluma Gap

SRP: $75
Deep ruby color. An airy, inviting, yet complex aromatic display of rhubarb, rose petals, and tobacco, over ripe cherries, strawberries, tangy red currants, with some earth and leathery tones to boot. The palate is ripe but tangy with dusty tannins making for a moderately-framed wine that’s zippy and bright, but shows juicy, tangy fruit (raspberries, red currants, strawberries). The non-fruit complexities add a lot to enjoy: white pepper, warm clay, dusty earth, minerals, oregano, tobacco, leather, anise. The balance and freshness is crystalline, and I love how this wine is developing over time. Very interested to see where it goes in another three to five years. A beautiful iteration of one of my favorite California Pinot vineyards. (93 points)