Two great pinot noirs

For fans of Oregon pinot noir, there's the Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2003. Try this and you'll never think of pinot noir as a wimpy red wine. Huge aromas and flavors make this a winner, even with its $30 price tag. If you like California pinot noir, try the Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Santa Maria Valley. Stunning, but more subtle than the Ponzi (which is a hedonistic wine by any measure). You can find this gem anywhere from $30 to $54(!) a bottle.