2010 Freestone Vineyards Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
The 2010 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards is more fruit-driven than the Pastorale. Immediate and juicy, the 2010 jumps from the glass with layers of radiant red fruit. I would prefer to drink the 2010 while the fruit remains front and center. This supple, resonant Pinot is another gorgeous wine from Phelps. The 2010 is a blend of roughly equal parts Pastorale and Quarter Moon Vineyards. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. Once again, I came away deeply impressed with the wines I tasted from Joseph Phelps and their Freestone Vineyards range. These are without question some of the most polished wines being made in the Sonoma Coast today. The 2011s, all of which I tasted from barrel, are also highly promising. The Pinots are quite savory and Syrah-like in this vintage. It will be interesting to see how they develop over the coming year. Tel: (707) 874-1010
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Good medium red. Pungent aromas of raspberry, smoke and spices. Supple, sweet and rich, with plenty of early sex appeal to the red berry, spice and loam flavors. Real California sweetness of fruit leavened by saline soil tones. Tasty already.
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.