This 94-Point, $18.99 California Pinot Has Real Old-World Charm!
Today, we bring you a fresh and vibrant California Pinot Noir with a massive 94-Point score and a bonkers price of $18.99. Think there aren't any GREAT deals to be had in California Pinot Noir? You are wrong!
Scroll down for this crisp, vibrant, steal-of-a-Pinot from Xavier Arnaudin, and for a special Cru Beaujolais from one of our favorite young growers, then click the Big Green Button to get these fresh summer reds into your home.
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2024 Union Sacré Pinot Noir
Monterey, Central Coast, California
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Born in France, chef Xavier Arnaudin left the Rhône Valley in 1999 with the dream of making his own wine. Fifteen years later, he founded Union Sacré to craft expressive, old-world style wines that embrace the fruit, vineyards and sunshine of California’s Central Coast.
When we tasted this Pinot with Xavier in Paso Robles, we were very impressed by its purity, style and old-world finesse. Then, we learned the price. Holy cow!
Fermented and aged in concrete tank before being bottled sans fining or filtration, this racy, full-favored Monterey Pinot Noir is freaking delicious. Light in color, it has a structure reminiscent of Burgundy and is filled with warm and pure California flavors of black raspberry and fresh cherry along with subtle tones of cola and peppery spice.
Give it a slight chill and pair with grilled salmon, pork chops, chicken sausages or a simple pasta tossed with wild mushrooms. We are a definitive 91 points. Wine Enthusiast stamps it even higher, writing this 94-point review....
"Though light on its feet, this bottling begins with rather bold aromas of cherry, spearmint, wet slate and sharp spice on the nose. The palate sizzles with acidity that offsets a slight viscosity, as blood orange, cranberry, thyme and rainbow peppercorn aromas align."
- 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast (11/1/2025)
Wine Enthusiast quotes a wildly reasonable $25. An online search revealed 14 listings with a sizzling median of $22. At even less, our price makes this one of the best Pinot Noir opportunities we've come across in ages.
Vin Chicago Price: 18.99
A Deep and Complex Beaujolais from Elisa Guérin!
2023 Famille Guérin ”Les Thorins”
Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais, France
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The young, fourth generation, ultra-talented vigneronne Elisa Guérin took over her family’s estate in 2019, quickly converting their 4.2 hectares in the Beaujolais Cru of Moulin-à-Vent to organic farming.
Her 2023 “Les Thorins” is a stellar 100% Gamay from 60+ year old vines in a small 1.5 hectare parcel consisting of decomposed granite soils. In addition to the beautiful Beaujolais fruit flavors of red and black berries, this compelling wine offers a more serious side of Beaujolais with notes of dried violets and black tea, impressive depth and ample minerality. Delicious now, it will also age wonderfully over the next five to seven years.
We are a very enthusiastic 93 points. Looking online we found just one listing, at $49. Our price is way less.
Vin Chicago Price: 36.99
