Mark West

Black Monterey County Pinot Noir

8.7360 ratings
8.43 pro ratings
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Ellen Clifford

I REALLY dug this! And not just because I like all things dark. This was not your typical Cali PN. It is, of course 19% Syrah which I am betting helps add the glorious dark coloring to this. Medium bodied with perfectly velvet tannins, the black cherry marmalade essence is strong. You'd think they'd stuck a vanilla bean in the oak barrel but I'm supposing that is just the French Oak. The finish is not particularly compelling and this is not especially complex but gosh darn it is tasty. Balanced, slightly spicy and lush. And...noir. As a Pinot should be.

I REALLY dug this! And not just because I like all things dark. This was not your typical Cali PN. It is, of course 19% Syrah which I am betting helps add the glorious dark coloring to this. Medium bodied with perfectly velvet tannins, the black cherry marmalade essence is strong. You'd think they'd stuck a vanilla bean in the oak barrel but I'm supposing that is just the French Oak. The finish is not particularly compelling and this is not especially complex but gosh darn it is tasty. Balanced, slightly spicy and lush. And...noir. As a Pinot should be.

4 people found it helpfulOct 20th, 2016
Peter Lutz

Heavy bodied Pinot, really great for the price. Nice fall table wine.

Heavy bodied Pinot, really great for the price. Nice fall table wine.

1 person found it helpfulOct 6th, 2016
Ty Bishop

Really impressed with this Pinot. Heavier body than a normal pinot. Really nice oak and cherry tones.

Really impressed with this Pinot. Heavier body than a normal pinot. Really nice oak and cherry tones.

1 person found it helpfulJan 11th, 2016
Matt Sterr

PN w/Syrah I assume. Jammy blackberry and cocoa notes. Doesn't taste like PN, but not terrible.

PN w/Syrah I assume. Jammy blackberry and cocoa notes. Doesn't taste like PN, but not terrible.

Feb 22nd, 2016
Cliff Altizer

Love!!

Love!!

Feb 6th, 2023
Nicole Schilling

Not usually a Pinot fan but this was really good. Full of berry flavor.

Not usually a Pinot fan but this was really good. Full of berry flavor.

Jun 3rd, 2022
Slater Richardson

Excellent for the price point, bold for a pinot

Excellent for the price point, bold for a pinot

Mar 14th, 2022
LB
9.5

Jenni’s favorite wine. Lake Waynoka 2021

Jenni’s favorite wine. Lake Waynoka 2021

Sep 25th, 2021
Laura K

Slightly cherry. Pretty good. Intense flavor.

Slightly cherry. Pretty good. Intense flavor.

Dec 21st, 2020
Aaron Garnett

Fruit forward, cherry, faint oak notes and mildly tannic finish. Nicely balanced.

Fruit forward, cherry, faint oak notes and mildly tannic finish. Nicely balanced.

Oct 9th, 2020