2011 Joseph Phelps Pastorale Vineyard Pinot Noir

I was craving a really good glass of Pinot Noir the other night.  Spending time in Bordeaux, I drank mostly red and white Bordeaux blends, no Burgundies.  Before I even wandered down to my cellar my mind was already made up and I knew what I wanted that night.

photo 1

Sight
Medium color depth, ruby hue.

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Smell
The Pinot Noir was very aromatic, young-fruity. I could smell bing cherry, cranberry, spice, slight caramel.  It was a little earthy too.

Taste
The Pinot Noir was not dry, medium-bodied, and the acidity was balanced.  The tannins were soft.  Tasting the Pinot Noir I had a silky mid-palate flavors with a soft long finish.  The wine was very flavorful.

abv: 14.2%

How much:  Retail $75.  If you are in the wine club it is $60.00.

Region/Appellation:  Sonoma Coast.

The fruit is 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir from our Pastorale Vineyard.  The wine was aged 13 months in 60% new and 40% two- to three-year-old French oak barrels before bottling in February, 2013.

I rated the  2011 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir four glasses.  Not because I have not had a Burgundy in months, it was really good.  We will be in The Sonoma area August 21st, we plan on stopping at the Freestone tasting room for more Pinot.

Life is too short to drink crappy wine!

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