I don’t blame people for being confused about many of California’s appellations — most are pretty broad and diversified to the point that they offer little insight to consumers trying to glean information from a wine label.  Examples of a region and grape variety making a practically can’t-miss combination are fairly rare when it comes to the wide and varied world of California wines. (The same can be said for many other New World wine regions, by the by…)

This is just one more reason that I’m happy to spotlight Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. This cool climate niche in the larger Mendocino appellation may be home to the most consistently excellent Pinot Noirs in California. They’re not cheap — you won’t find too many less than $20 — but they’re not out of reach, either.

Last year I had the pleasure of touring Anderson Valley for the first time, and it quickly became a favorite on my personal wine region list. Cute hotel, coffee shops and cafes, and really nice people.

I suppose Goldeneye (part of the Duckhorn family of wineries)  is the heavy hitter in the area — with its swanky, formal tasting lawn, and a bigger, riper, more opulent Pinot Noir style. Its wines are also noticeably pricier than just about anything else in the area. Even though I tend to gravitate to the smaller, off-the-beaten-path wineries, it wasn’t hard to see why Goldeneye’s wines have drawn big scores from most critics.

I tasted loads of good wines — here are a few of my favorites:

Elke Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Donnelly Creek Vineyard ($34). Loved this wine for its “Old World” style — dusty mineral notes accent elegant, medium-bodied black plum and berry fruit. With a long, complex, velvety finish. Tempting now but should age beautifully for 6-8 years. A lot of wine for the money. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Elke Vineyards 2001 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Donnelly Creek Vineyard ($N/A). Definite earthy aromas and flavors mingled with delicate black plum, berry and currant fruit, with a long, silky, complex finish that picked up hints of incense, sweet spices and lightly toasted oak. Ready to drink now and over the next few years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Foursight Wines 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Charles Vineyard All In ($46). “All in” here means that the winery is using all (four) of its Pinot Noir clones in this wine — as opposed to a single-clone wine. I really liked it — lovely dark fruit aromas and flavors, with bright acidity, subtle oak influence, and a long, complex finish. Medium bodied and balanced. Should age beautifully. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Goldeneye 2006 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($55). Deep, velvety, mouthcoating, with concentrated red cherry and berry fruit, exotic spices, a touch of licorice, and distinctive herbal notes. Long, rich finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Husch Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($23). Pretty, aromatic and on the delicate side, with an appealing loamy earth accent to the red berry, exotic spice and vanilla notes, with a long, smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Mary Elke 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($26). Ripe, certainly, but still offering some delicacy and nuance, with black cherry and plum fruit accented with warm spices and nutty oak. Long, ripe finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Phillips Hill 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Oppenlander Vineyard ($42). I tasted through several of Phillips Hill’s single vineyard Pinots, and thought this one had it all — rich, silky dark cherry and plum fruit, but also complex mushroom, licorice, clove and toasted vanilla notes that linger on the slightly dusty finish. Approachable now, but should age nicely — 6+ years, at least. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Toulouse 2006 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($39). Pretty and nuanced, with aromatic anise and white pepper spice accenting red cherry and berry flavors that linger on the smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Toulouse 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($42). Deeper and richer than the 2006, with black cherry and berry fruit layered with aromatic, sweet baking spices, vanilla and herbal notes that linger on the supple finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.