2011 Freestone Vineyards Pinot Noir

The 2011 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards is a 3,400-case cuvee aged 13 months in 40% new French oak. The alcohol achieved a modest 13.5%. Made totally from Dijon clonal material, it exhibits notes of strawberries, raspberries, tobacco leaf and lavender. Nicely structured and medium-bodied with good density and fruit as well as a slightly compact finish, it can be consumed over the next 4-5 years. Joseph Phelps has a whopping 102 acres on the Sonoma Coast called the Freestone Vineyard, 82 acres of which is planted in Pinot Noir and the balance Chardonnay. The interesting thing about this site is the bud break can occur as early as February, and the hang time often exceeds the European model of “100 days,” often lasting as long as 120 to140+ days. All of the wines that follow, even in a great vintage such as 2012, rarely exceed 14.2% alcohol, with most coming in under 14%. Their flavor intensity and richness make them fascinating, and I suspect this relatively new operation will get better and better as the vines age, and the Phelps team in Napa continues to fine tune the vineyards and the winemaking. www.josephphelps.com

(vinified with 35% whole clusters; aged for 13 months in 40% new French oak): Bright medium red. Red berries, pungent brown spices, black tea and flowers on the nose, accented by peppery herbs. At once ripe and dry, offering moderate depth and complexity but excellent energy to the red fruit and spice flavors. There are more than 3,300 cases of this very good entry-level pinot.