Kendall Jackson Pinot Noir question??!
Answers: For those who have tasted Kendall Jackson and really like it, what other similar wine do you suggest? I am making a gift basket so any other suggestions of things and wines to include would be helpful thank you!
there a many great pinot noirs, those are rated amongst the 25 top picks of forbes : etude 2002 40.00, chalone 2003 25.00, cloudline 2003 18.00, clos du val 2001 34.00, deloach 2002 18.00, domaine drouhin 2001 60.00, domaine serene 2003 33.00, beaux freres 2005 75.00. crackers, cheese, chocolate covered cherries, gourmet coffee & tea, and even a few cigars, if he smokes them.
so are you just looking for pinot noirs or a mixture of wines?? Well...hmm... no price range?? ...similar wines would be other pinot noirs... so just drop in a wine shop and find a few... check out local wineries.. i dont know where u are from but i am assuming there must be a vinyard?? those are always fun to try..
Little Penguin Pinot Noir is great. For $8, it's one of the few Pinot Noirs from Australia even worth a damn. It's a huge fruit bomb, and holds its own against some $40 bottles (just make sure you get one with Australian juice, since they're switching to French soon).
Golden Kaan Pinotage is similar to a cross between a Pinot Noir, and a Merlot. It's a bit heavier bodied (in comparison to a PN), and has a different fruit profile (cranberry and plum at the beginning). It's a bit drier, but that's not a bad thing.
Rex Goliath has a nice Shiraz out right now (just let it breathe for about 15 mins. before you drink it!).
If you want something different, Van Ruiten has a late harvest red zinfandel that's pretty nice too. Being a late harvest wine, it has a certain raisin-like sweetness that goes right alongside the traditional zin flavors and dryness (it's an odd counterpoint, but its good).
Hope that helps some!
Hawley is probably one of the best pinot noirs on the market at a semi-reasonable price ($30). It is very full bodied and has a buttery after taste. I have heard nothing but great reviews about it.
Beringer Third Century pinot noir is an excelent fruity red wine.
try their sister winery Cambria. Their julia's vineyard pinot is fantasic. I usually see that wine in local grocery stores in the napa area, so you should be able to find it.
Also try King Estate Pinot Noir from Oregon.