Purple Owl Pinot Noir, California 2024

We’re always on the lookout for great-value Pinot Noir––and Purple Owl is a superb option. Supple and fresh, with ripe fruit and elegance, it’s easy to see why this velvety red is a bestseller vintage after vintage.

Despite being a notoriously finicky grape, Pinot Noir thrives on California’s Central Coast. Warm, sunny days and cool ocean breezes encourage even ripening, helping the variety reach the peak of its perfumed perfection.

Purple Owl is from a third-generation, family-owned vineyard in Lodi, “one of the top wine regions in the country,” where “winemakers have quietly started producing some of the state’s best wines,” according to Vinepair. It’s named for the purple owl’s clover that blankets some California vineyards.

Just one sip and you’ll see why it’s so popular. It’s seductively smooth, with billowing black cherry and raspberry flavors, hints of violet, undertones of subtle oaky spice and that silky texture that Pinot fans love so much. Delightful as an aperitif, it’s even better when matched with roast salmon, toasted chicken or turkey or soft, creamy cheeses.