Pinots and Unoaked American Reds

[stevebody]

I'm posting this here because I AM a novice when it comes to Pinot, in many ways. I have to choose from the ocean of Pinot Noir out there, about most of which I'm totally underwhelmed. I have friends here in Seattle helping out but they have agendae(?).

Any thoughts about Pinots - CA, OR, BURG, NZ - that you would want to find in your favorite wine shop? Ditto for unoaked American reds. Know of any that you like?

All help appreciated.