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The Mark West Pinot Noir 2021 is the largest selling under $15 Pinot Noir for 15 years straight. It is a wine I found with a rebate for $4.99 but typically is priced for about ten bucks. Mark West Winery was founded in 1978 as a Pinot Noir-based company. They are now owned by E & J Gallo, the largest family-owned wine company in the US.
Mark West refers to the Marcus West Creek that ran through the winery. Now that they are owned by Gallo they are likely a Brand and not attached to a particular vineyard or winemaking facility.
The Mark West Pinot Noir 2021 tasting notes mention that the grapes are sourced from vineyards in California’s Central and North regions.
Pinot Noir grapes from Lodi seem to make up the bulk of the Pinot grapes and ZInfandel and Graciano are also added. The 2021 vintage had a hot spell in July which caused the grapes to ripen sooner than usual. Pinot Nour grapes need long cool growing seasons to reach their full potential.
The Graciano grape is from Spain and is most often used in Rioja when blended with Tempranillo. Zinfandel and Granciano are not grapes typically associated with Pinot Noir, they are bold grapes and Pinot Noir is far more subtle.
If the Pinot Noir needs some help, then I would rather the winemaker make the adjustments than not. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The Mark West Pinot Noir 2021 Tasting Notes
The color is cranberry red. The nose is ripe cherry, oak spice, fruit roll-ups, sweet vanilla, and herbs. The Mark West Pinot Noir 2021 is an easy-sipping wine with pleasant flavors.
This Pinot Noir tastes like extracted black cherry, ripe blackberry, a slap of spice, vanilla, plum, light herbs, and cherry cough drops. The tannins are mild and the acidity is well-mannered.
The Summary
- The Mark West Pinot Noir 2021 is a solid well-priced Pinot Noir
- The troubled 2021 vintage caused some special measures to be employed.
- While not Mark West’s best vintage it is still worth drinking if the price is right.
