My wife and I spent a weekend in Monterey, California recently. While there, we tasted some local wine, and found several bottles that really impressed us. I’ll be writing about some of those wines in the coming days or weeks.
When we got home, I realized I had just received a couple sample bottles of a Monterey County Pinot Noir. One of the wines we particularly loved while in Monterey was a Pinot, albeit labelled with the more specific Arroyo Seco AVA.
So I figured, “Awesome! Maybe I’ll fall in love with the whole way the area does Pinot Noir!”
Yeah. Well, to be fair, the $17 price point on 24 Knots means it’s cheaper than almost any Pinot Noir you’re going to find. And it isn’t bad, per se, it’s just… it’s just not much of anything, I’m afraid.
A very pretty light ruby in the glass, the color of the wine doesn’t change much at the edges, owing in part to its young age.
On the nose are a hint of chocolate, a little barnyard, and a sort of twiggy underbrush that reminds me, in the way a bad impersonation only reminds you of the original, of the Burgundian style.
The wine is light-to-medium bodied, and while it shows some slight berry notes, and features the label’s promised long finish, there just isn’t much here.
And I have to say, given the appellation and the price point, I can’t imagine that time is going to do 24 Knots any favors. I can’t really recommend this wine, unles you are dying for a Pinot Noir (and it does exhibit some classic Pinot style) and want to spend less than $20.
Verdict: 75/100
Price Point: $17