94-Point, Single-Vineyard Carneros Pinot for Under $20

2021 Drive "Quan Vineyard" Carneros Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $38) $19.95

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "This aromatic, textural and complex wine shows classic Pinot Noir scents of cherries, cloves and dark herbs, while revealing ample black cherries, sour cherries and an earthy, forest floor effect on the palate. It's a singular wine with a firm acid and tannin structure for pairing with food. Best through 2030."

K&L Notes: Note from the producer: "Drive started as a home winemaking project in a former mechanics garage. We focus on micro-production wines, representing independently-owned vineyards from premier regions of Sonoma County."

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 26, 2024

A tiny production Pinot Noir from true "garagiste" winemakers. Drive Wines literally started in a garage, hence the name. And though they've now moved on to working out of a bonified winery, their dedication to small-lot, boutique winemaking continues. This Pinot Noir comes from a small vineyard in the Sonoma side of Carneros with lots of cooling influence from San Pablo Bay. The wine shows a lovely combination of wild red fruits, dark cherry, ripe raspberry, bramble. It also has toasted spices, alpine herbs, freshly turned earth, even a hint of bay laurel. It's easy drinking enough to pop n' pour, but the wine has plenty depth and complexity if you let it open in the glass or decanter. 94-points from Wine Enthusiast, and a gold medal from the SF Chronicle Wine Competition earlier this year, just add to the amazing value on offer here at our special Insider's Advantage price that's almost 50% off the original SRP!

Scott Beckerley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 23, 2024

Another one of these, of late, marvelous Pinot Noir bargains. This particular bottling is fragrant with black cherries, white mushrooms, crushed herbs. Very nice! On the palate, nicely fleshy with milk chocolate cherry, Jolly Rancher cherry, fresh-turned earth. There is a back of the tongue bright acidity and very light herbal notes. Lingering finish with very light cranberry fruit. Quite superb!

Alexandre Tweedie | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 15, 2024

Richly wrapped, pure cherry fruit shines through the center of this Los Carneros Pinot Noir - texturally filling, coating the palate with ripe mountain cherry and coastal sage savor - the nose of this pinot doesn't fully imply the ripeness of the palate, which I found to be quite a lovely differentiation - scents of California chaparral, dried sage, and a small anchoring of oyster-mushroom-earthiness happily contrast and amplify the slow rolling, rich fruit packed into this bottle. A great pairing for grilled dishes, Asian Spices, and hearty pan sauces.