Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Joseph Phelps - Rated 96pts

Joseph Phelps Freestone Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2019

Rated 96 Points by the Wine Advocate

Joseph Phelps has been a mainstay in the Napa Valley since their founding in 1973, known most famously for their Insignia Proprietary Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the mid-1990's their quest to find a great spot to grow Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs was renewed. Although some great examples of both varietals were made by the winery in Napa, Joe was never satisfied with the results. They began looking further and further west, until they found the town of Freestone on the Sonoma Coast where, at the time there were few vineyards planted. 

People claimed that the region was too cold and windy for growing grapes. They then started working on turning a former dairy farm into a vineyard and the vision to create Pinot Noir that was comparable to French Burgundies was beginning again to take shape. As a pioneer in the region, the learning curve on growing and making world-class wines was great, just as it was in the early days of Napa. Farming practices had to changed based on the environment - steep hills, climate, soil type all being completely different from what they were used to in Napa Valley. Even trellising, pruning and canopy management techniques had to be adapted. So much so that the first harvest from these grapes wasn't until 5 years later.

Today Joseph Phelps isn't alone in Freestone, and many wineries have joined them in the region, also for the most part similarly focused on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The 2019 vintage in this region was known for having a cool start due to colder than average temperatures and very saturated soils from the wet winter. Cooler than usual weather continued during the spring and summer, with more than average rainfall, however in August and September the weather warmed up, pushing ahead the ripening of the grapes with harvest finishing up in October. All in all, it was a success of a year with excellent natural acidity, well-developed flavors and superb balance. 

Rated 96 Points by the Wine Advocate - "The 2019 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards takes time to open, metamorphosing from iron and woodsmoke to raspberries, dried flowers, dark spices and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate is silky and seamlessly fresh, loaded with perfectly ripe, earth-laced fruits whose flavors linger for a very long time in the mouth. This has the fruit intensity and structure to age very well in bottle."

Rated 92 Points by the Wine Spectator - "Well-knit, with fresh spiciness to raspberry and cherry tart flavors that are flanked by hot stone accents. Finishes with slate notes and plenty of creaminess. Drink now through 2025."

From the Winemaker- "The 2019 Pinot Noir opens with intensely floral aromatics of red fruit, dried savory herbs and violets. A viscous, layered wine with balanced acid and tannin structure, jammy boysenberry, baking spice, and sour cherry notes linger to a complex finish."

Cheers!

Tracy Maxon

tracy@varmax.com