The Pinot Noirs with the best price-performance ratio for 2024

As we browse through this year’s best value wines, the anticipation is practically palpable as we finally arrive at the most lauded grape variety – Pinot Noir.

OK, that might have gone a bit too far – but we know you’re definitely curious. Because who wouldn’t be? Pinot Noir can fetch thousands upon thousands for its most lauded variants in Burgundy, and even offerings from Oregon and Central Otago in the New World are climbing up the price range – though they’re still comparatively cheap compared to those from the Old World.

But don’t worry – this list proves that you can get some bargains on Pinot Noir without compromising on quality.

To arrive at our 10 best value Pinot Noirs, we calculate value for money by dividing the aggregate critic ratings – which in this case are all impressively in the early to mid-90s – by the price, with the most expensive coming in around $35 and the cheapest at $14. After the division, the higher the number – the more often the price fits into the rating – the better the value for money.

So what has it achieved this year?

Pinot Noirs with the best value for money on Wine-Searcher:

The top spot goes to the 2019 Bacchus Cellars Ginger’s Cuvee Pinot Noir. Made by Bacchus Cellars in California, there’s not much more to say other than that it’s quirky, comes from the Golden State, and makes an excellent accompaniment to a lamb burger.

As sparse as we may be on details, we can tell you that it is reasonably priced in the US, has a critics rating of 95, and is available at a very reasonable price of $14, resulting in a value for money ratio of 6.78.

Number two is the 2020 Zorzal Gran Terroir Pinot Noir. Zorzal is one of the highest wineries in Mendoza, Argentina and is known for its minimal intervention winemaking. Founded by former banker Gerardo Michelini, brothers Matias and Juan Pablo Michelini manage the daily winemaking.

Although the winery is relatively small, it has built an impressive reputation with its wine list, and its Gran Terroir Pinot Noir is no exception. With an overall score of 92 points and a price tag of $17, this wine achieves a top score of 5.41.

Third place goes to the only rosé on this list, the 2023 Bodega Garzon Reserve Pinot Noir Rosé from Uruguay’s Maldonado region. Bodega Garzón is a state-of-the-art winery and vineyard founded by Argentine businessman Alejandro Bulgheroni.

Since its founding, the estate has won various awards – Wine Enthusiast declared it one of the best wineries in the New World and Germán Bruzzone was named Winemaker of the Year by Patricio Tapia.

Unsurprisingly, their rosé hit the mark, receiving an overall critics’ score of 92 points. At a price of $18, it achieves a final top score of 5.11.

Number four is the 2021 Paul O’Brien Oregon Territory Pinot Noir. Paul O’Brien Winery is the result of a collaboration between two winemaking friends – Dyson Paul DeMara and Scott O’Brien Kelley – who met while working at Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley. Founded in 2013, Paul O’Brien Winery is the first urban winery in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley.

Their Oregon Territory Pinot Noir has a critics score of 93 points and a price of $19, giving it a very positive value rating of 4.89.

In fifth place is the 2020 Clos des Fous ‘Subsollum’ Pinot Noir from Chile. Founded in 2008 by four friends – Paco Leyton, Pedro Parra, Albert Cussen and Francois Massoc – Clos de Fous was a passion project to counter the reputation Chile sometimes has for cheap, mass-produced wines.

Their Subsollum is made from Pinot Noir from the Aconcagua coast, so it has a fresh, aromatic character that is well received by critics, earning it an overall score of 92 points. This and a price of $19 give it a top score of 4.84.

Number six is ​​the 2020 Pali Wine Co. Santa Barbara County-Sonoma County Pinot Noir. The Pali Wine Co. focuses exclusively on producing excellent California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, primarily from Santa Rita Hills and surrounding vineyards.

The wine has a critics’ rating of 93 points and achieves the top score of 4.65 at a price of 20 dollars.

In seventh place is the Roots Run Deep Winery Educated Guess Pinot Noir 2021. Roots Run Deep Winery was founded in 2005 by Mark Albrecht, who has a long and respected history in the wine industry.

However, despite Albrecht’s stellar reputation in the industry, securing financing was difficult, so Albrecht sold his house to start the label. Fortunately, Albrecht’s risk paid off, and Roots Run Deep has succeeded in producing outstanding but affordable Napa wines, despite them typically costing hundreds.

The Educated Guess Pinot Noir has a critics score of 93 points and a price of $22, giving it a best score of 4.22.

Number eight is the 2022 Laberinto Pinot Noir from Chile’s Maule Valley. Founded in 1993, Laberinto focuses on cool-climate wines influenced by both the volcanic soils of the Andes and the cool breezes blowing in from the Pacific.

Made from some of the winery’s most remote vineyards, the wine is bright, aromatic and floral and has a very impressive overall score of 94 points. Priced at $23, this Chilean red wine scores a value for money of 4.08.

In ninth place is the dramatically named 2021 Scar of the Sea Vinos de los Ranchos Pinot Noir. Scar of the Sea was founded in 2012 by Mikey and Gina Giugni in San Luis Obispo, California. As the name suggests, the vineyards are heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean and place a high emphasis on native yeasts.

As a result, the Vinos de los Ranchos Pinot Noir, with its bright candied berries, receives an excellent overall score of 93 points and, at a price of $32, receives the top rating of 2.90.

Last but not least, there is the Settlement Settlement Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020. Located at the bottom of New Zealand’s Marlborough region, Settlement Wines was founded by Steve Planthaber – originally from the Barossa – who then worked in Cloudy Bay for 12 years before founding Settlement Wines, which focuses on using organic fruit.

The fruity but aging Settlement Pinot Noir has proven to be a hit with critics, receiving a score of 94. Priced at $35, this wine achieves a top score of 2.68.

So forget Burgundy, France and Europe when it comes to cheap Pinot Noir – the New World is ripe for the picking.