You probably saw the film. Your wine-drinking ways may even have been shaped by it. So much so that Pinot Noir is now more expensive than ever (thank you, Sideways).

Which is all the more reason to be very savvy about which particular ones to buy.

And, of course, which not to buy.

For guidance on both counts, we turn our video sights on several California selections of the wine that “Hollywood made famous,” as Wine Library TV’s Gary Vaynerchuk puts it.

First off is a 2006 Coppola Director’s Cut Pinot Noir ($19). Packaged in an unusually shaped (for a Pinot Noir) but attractive bottle, it features some nice dark cherry and strawberry components.

But the nice impression gets trounced by an overbearing alcohol level. “A complete pass.”

Next up is a 2006 Lily Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($20). Some endearing Old World tonalities with “velvety vanilla cherries,” you would have thought it came from Burgundy. “Really, really good … extremely well made.”

The 2006 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($36), a price probably fit for special occassions, offers the “classic strawberries and cherries” dimension but unfortunately (at least for Gary) sports much to much oakiness. If you like oak flavors,then that naturally isn’t a problem.

The big hit is the 2006 Breggo Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($34), from a winery that’s causing some buzz in wine circles. Lots of cherry tones but also some surprising pomegranate — a “fruit bomb.”

Though it’s “so big, so rich,” it doesn’t cross the line to disappointment. And that’s quite a feat. “A home run.”

In fact, Gary’s so “enamored” that he advises seeking out this wine, and he even provides the Breggo Wine email list.

Alright, then. Lights. Camera. Action…

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A great way to learn about wines is to watch an expert taste, rate and describe them. Selections are picked because the topic is timely or seems particularly interesting.

Looking for more? It’s called Wine Library TV for a reason: Visit Gary’s archive for other episodes.

Tip: Print out the list, bring it to your local wine shop and ask for something similar if a specific bottle isn’t available.