2017 Freestone Vineyards Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Leading off the Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards comes from a handful of sites and spent 13 months in one-third new French oak. Mostly destemmed (80%), its ruby hue is followed by a beautiful bouquet of cranberries, caramelized cherries, orange rind, and spicy aromas and flavors. It's nicely textured, balanced, has good acidity, and a great finish.
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Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
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The 2017 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards is soft, supple and super-expressive. It offers dark cherry, plum, spice, leather and menthol on the nose, while bright red cherry, rose petal, mint and blood orange flavors are beautifully layered. The 20% whole clusters add aromatic nuance without overpowering the wine. The blend is 51% Quarter Moon and 49% Pastorale.
The 2017 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards was made using about 20% whole cluster and aged for 13 months in 34% new French oak. Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, it has a very open, gregarious nose of dried rose petals, potpourri, tree bark, red licorice and ripe red and black fruits with pretty spicy notes of cinnamon stick and clove. Light to medium-bodied, it has good layers of spicy, perfumed fruit in the mouth, with soft, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and spicy. 6,700 cases produced.
Lots of blueberries, blackberries and slate on the nose. Medium-bodied, integrated and tight. Refined and driven. Drink now or hold.
About the producer
California winery Joseph Phelps is best known for its flagship Insignia cuvée, one of the first and finest proprietary red wines in the Napa Valley.