Saracina Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2022

We’re always intrigued by the “edges” of California—those cool-climate pockets where Pinot Noir can actually keep its cool and show some nerve. Anderson Valley is arguably the crown jewel of these spots, and Saracina’s 2022 Pinot Noir is a textbook example of why search it out.

This one comes from the deep end of the valley, just 15 miles from the Pacific, where the morning fog and brisk nights preserve the kind of acidity that makes a wine truly food-friendly. Native yeast fermentation, aged in Francois Frères barrels (only 10% new), and bottled with minimal intervention to keep that bright, nervy energy intact.

At under $50, this is the kind of high-QPR bottle we live for. It’s sophisticated enough to cellar for a few years, but honestly, it’s so vibrant and crunchy right now that it’s hard not to pull the cork immediately.