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Fort Ross Vineyard

2015 Sea Slopes Pinot Noir

2015 Sea Slopes Pinot Noir

Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Vineyard Designation
Fort Ross Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 12-26, 2013
Aging
9 months in French oak; 30% new
Bottling Date
Late June 2016, Unfined & Unfiltered
Alcohol %
13.5
Wine Enthusiast
94
Robert Parker
90
Wine & Spirits
93
Add To Cart
$35.00
 
SOLD OUT

Sea Slopes Pinot Noir is inspired by the majestic Sonoma Coast and the steep rugged ridges perched at the golden edge of the continent. Here, the cool maritime climate produces fruit of exceptional quality and allows us to craft wines of great elegance and purity.

93 Points, Buying Guide: Year’s Best Pinot Noirs - Wine & Spirits
This is a new project focusing on more affordable wines from Fort Ross Vineyards, where Jeff Pisoni makes the wines for Lester and Linda Schwartz, a South African couple who planted the vineyard in 1994. An earthy, coastal pinot, this has an elastic tension to the structure that reminded some of our tasters of certain Williams Selyem wines from the far coast. It's black and bitter when first opened, needing air for the tannins to recede and for the refined, fresh flavors to come to the fore. The tannins continue to give it shape and enhance its power; this is a wine to cellar for a few years or to decant for grilled duck breast. April 2018.

94 Points, Editors’ Choice - Wine Enthusiast
This wine offers astounding quality for the price, a juicy expression of fruit and spice with a depth of firm resolved tannin, lively acidity and layers of black cherry and cola. Approachable and delicious, it hits the mark on every level being light bodied and refreshingly balanced while complex.—V.B, October 2017.

90 Points - James Suckling
Some earthy and savory, dry-spiced cherry aromas that lead to a neat, supple, and approachable palate with a laid-back, open-knit finish. Drink now. November 2018.

92 Points - Tasting Panel Magazine 
From the edge of the rugged ridges of the Sonoma Coast comes this full-bodied, fruit-driven Pinot. Aromas of black cherry make way for a plethora of flavors and scents: Salty rhubarb startles as dried herbs usher in savoriness. Graphite enters at mid-palate, with notes of juicy strawberries. Cara Cara oranges, cranberries, and black tea. Satin-like tannins with a creamy finish.—M.M.

Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
This deep garnet hued Pinot Noir entices with black cherry and red berry aromas that are elegantly balanced by an undercurrent of dried orange peel. Generous black plum, bramble berry and raspberry with hints of black tea and spice evolve on the palate finishing with velvery tannins and the bright acidity that expresses our coastal terroir.
Production Notes
The 2015 growing season began with early bud break followed by relatively warm temperatures until May, when the temperature suddenly dropped, slowing flowering and limiting the crop yield. After bloom the temperate weather allowed the grapes to ripen slowly until they were unhurriedly harvested between mid-August and mid-September. The lower yields delivered fruit that produced exceptional wine that is layered, focused and shows a gracious purity.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this Pinot Noir were handpicked during the cool early morning hours. After hand sorting, the fruit was cold soaked for several days. Fermentation occurred in a combination of 5 and 10 ton stainless steel tanks after which the wine was barreled into a combination of 30% new and 70% neutral French oak. During fermentation both punch down and pump-over maceration techniques were used to achieve a balanced extraction of flavor, color and aromatic compounds. Once in barrels, time allowed the wine to seamlessly integrate the natural acidity, rich flavors and soft tannins into a perfectly balanced and perfumed Pinot Noir.
Production
793 cases
Other Notes
793 cases produced

2015 Sea Slopes Pinot Noir

Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Vineyard Designation
Fort Ross Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 12-26, 2013
Aging
9 months in French oak; 30% new
Bottling Date
Late June 2016, Unfined & Unfiltered
Alcohol %
13.5
Wine Enthusiast
94
Robert Parker
90
Wine & Spirits
93
Add To Cart
$35.00
 
SOLD OUT