Joseph Phelps Freestone Pinot Noir 2019

Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned and operated wine estate with vineyards and wineries in Napa Valley and on the western Sonoma Coast. The winery was founded in 1973 by Joseph Phelps, a successful construction executive and entrepreneur whose early interest in wine led him to establish vineyards on a 670-acre former cattle ranch in Napa Valley. Over the next 42 years Joe became one of the most respected figures in the California wine industry, building Joseph Phelps Vineyards into a critically-acclaimed winery internationally known for its iconic California wines.

Joe’s son, Bill Phelps, joined the family business in 1998 after a successful career in law, and as Executive Chairman now oversees Joseph Phelps Vineyards with a continued dedication to excellence. The winery’s Board of Directors includes Joe’s daughters, Leslie, Laurie and Lynn. In 2016, third generation family members Elizabeth Neuman, Director of Business Development & Marketing, and Will Phelps, Director of Hospitality & Consumer Sales were appointed to the executive management team. Today, the Phelps family is committed to maintaining and nurturing Joseph Phelps Vineyards as a family-owned and run winery and to extending the legacy of its founder, Joe Phelps.

Phelps' Freestone Pinot Noir is made of 100% Pinot Noir from the family's Pastorale and Quarter Moon estate vineyards blended with select nearby growers on the Sonoma Coast. Aged 13 months in 36% new and 64% two-year-old French oak barrels, first the grapes are harvested at night followed by sorting before the fruit is gravity fed to tank for a long natural fermentation using an overall average of 15% whole clusters in the final blend. Regular punch downs result in a structured wine with silky texture and a distinctive spice character of sweet red berries, forest floor and clove prevalent in this area of the western Sonoma Coast.

The 2019 Pinot Noir opens with intensely floral aromatics of red fruit, dried savory herbs and violets. A viscous, layered wine with balanced acid and tannin structure, jammy boysenberry, baking spice, and sour cherry notes linger to a complex finish.

In 2019, bud break occurred around the same time as 2018 but was delayed compared to historical averages due to cold, saturated soils from the wet winter, particularly in February. Cool weather continued throughout spring with an unusual amount of rainfall which delayed bloom in some areas. Canopy management was key in 2019 due to vigorous growth and moderate temperatures. July was cooler than average, but August and September warmed to push ripening ahead. The first blocks of Pinot Noir were picked on September 10th and the team completed picking in early October. In 2019, the quality of Pinot Noir from Phelps' Sonoma Coast estate was excellent with well-developed flavors, naturally fresh acidity and superb balance.