2006 Primarius Pinot Noir - ~9 (on sale)

A drinkable Pinot Noir for under $20 is a little unusual, and one for under 10 is positively suspect (though I did usually like Pepperwood Grove’s Pinot Noir until Sebastiani switched from California to Pays D’Oc grapes).

At $8.99 (on sale), the 2006 Primarius manages to pull off the bargain Pinot Noir trick rather well. The grapes are sourced from Oregon and the wine is decidedly Oregonian in style. The approach here is soft, wispy, and light-bodied. In the glass the wine is light garnet heading almost toward pink and the fragrance touches on many of the classic Oregon notes of a wine like, say, Erath –strawberry, clove, and a bit of earthy muskiness. The fruit is quite sweet – think raspberry more than strawberry – though balanced by good acidity. The sweetness gives way to an earthy mushroom on the moderate-length finish. The tannins are supple to the point of being imaginary.

It’s so light that I’m not sure if it would pair well with food. However, the Primarius does well as a gently pleasurable “cocktail” wine.

Score

Drinkability: 8/10
Price: 4.5/5
Total value: 12.5/15