As a seasoned wine connoisseur, I've recommended an impressively long list of wines in my numerous 'what to drink for Thanksgiving' articles. Curiously, one classically festive choice, the Pinot Noir, has never featured. It seems inexplicable, especially considering how well Pinot Noir pairs with poultry, and the diverse array of other options I've recommended.

From Syrah, affordable Bordeaux, and Riesling, to lighter-bodied wines, sommelier picks, and budget-friendly bottles from popular retailers, I've covered a broad range. I’ve even endorsed Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel (the American favorite, despite its Croatian roots), and more.

However, the ultimate wine-pairing advice is this: match your wine to your guests, not the menu. For instance, your stern great-aunt Alice may not appreciate an earthy Loire white with her minimal portion of turkey and brussels sprouts. Similarly, your tattooed, pierced nephew Noah isn’t likely to favor a rich, old-school Chardonnay with his vegan substitute. What both might enjoy, however, is the universal crowd-pleaser, Pinot Noir.

Perhaps my past Thanksgiving Pinot Noir oversight can be chalked up to my contrary nature (my wife surely wouldn't be surprised by that.). Regardless, it’s high time I rectify this. So, here are eight must-try American Pinot Noirs for your Thanksgiving table this year.

Hahn Vineyards' Pinot is wonderfully drinkable and medium-weight, filled with the delightful taste of ripe, black cherry fruit. It hails from the Santa Lucia Highlands, just inland from Monterey.

Cloudline, Domaine Drouhin’s second label, offers a beautifully poised Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at a reasonable price. The 2023 vintage is wonderfully aromatic, with notes of wild berry and fresh herbs.

A product of the Stoller Wine Group, this Willamette Valley Pinot, distinguished by its brambly wild cherry flavors and soft tannins, is quite tantalizing. The Stoller family initially raised turkeys before switching to grapes in 1988.

Winemaker Alicia Sylvester's Pinot is a standout, with its bright, tangy flavor and subtle vanilla and spice notes from aging in French oak barrels (25% new).

Elk Cove, one of the initial ambitious winemaking ventures in the Willamette Valley, currently makes some of the valley's finest single-vineyard Pinots under second-generation winemaker Adam Campbell. His estate cuvée is a symphony of cranberry-cherry richness, accentuated with spice.

The Old Eight Cut cuvée by rising stars Grant Coulter and Renée Saint-Amour features floaty raspberry-pomegranate flavors, leaving a delightful hint of dried sage on the finish.

Paul Hobbs, initially a Cabernet expert, ventured into Pinot Noir with the inaugural vintage of his eponymous winery in 1991. Over three decades later, his red remains a luscious and focused testament to his talent.

Last but not least, James Hall, a seasoned Pinot expert at Patz & Hall Winery, has concocted a standout regional bottling. It boasts a silky texture, juicy raspberry fruit, and a surprising complexity.