Top Pinot Noir Picks

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Pinot Noir labels to look for

Lately, Pinot Noir impersonators have been creeping onto the dinner tables of innocent wine lovers everywhere. What's worse? The real thing can be harder to find than you think.

A real Pinot Noir is light-bodied, delicate, and a silky mouthful of warm spices, flowers, savory herbs, loam, and leather—not just fruit.

To steer you in the right direction, here are our top honest Pinot Noir picks.

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir

Cinnamon-spiced red plums with a hit of black pepper on a long finish. (Willamette Valley; $28; 13% alc.)

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Saintsbury 2009 “Garnet” Pinot Noir

Earthy smoke, leather, mushroom; spicy strawberry, rhubarb, and cola. (Carneros; $20; 13.5% alc.)

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Au Bon Climat 2007 “La Bauge Au-dessus” Pinot Noir

Tobacco, leather, earth, violets, and foresty fruit. (Santa Maria Valley; $30; 13.5% alc.)

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Fogdog 2007 Pinot Noir by Freestone

Bright berries and cherries dusted with chocolate. (Sonoma Coast; $35; 13.5% alc.)

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Domaine Drouhin 2007 Pinot Noir

Leafy herbs, loam, leather, rhubarb, and Chinese five spice. (Willamette Valley; $40; 13.9% alc.)

Photo by Jeffery Cross

A to Z 2008 Pinot Noir

Light cedar and spice plus a range of red fruit, from berry and cherry to rhubarb and cranberry. (Oregon; $20; 13% alc.)

Photo by Jeffery Cross

Anne Amie 2007 Pinot Noir

Red berries layered with coriander, orange zest, pepper, and dusty leather. (Willamette Valley; $35; 13.6% alc.)

Top Pinot picks

Pinot Noir labels to look for

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir

Saintsbury 2009 “Garnet” Pinot Noir

Au Bon Climat 2007 “La Bauge Au-dessus” Pinot Noir

Fogdog 2007 Pinot Noir by Freestone

Domaine Drouhin 2007 Pinot Noir

A to Z 2008 Pinot Noir

Anne Amie 2007 Pinot Noir