SKU: 00538

Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2018

jd93
we90
v90

750ml

$49.99

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Category	Red Wine
Varietal	Pinot Noir
Region	California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Brand	Flowers
Alcohol/vol	14.1%

Using organic and sustainable farming practices, Walt and Joan Flowers carefully nurture Pinot Noir in their estate vineyards located on the 'extreme' Sonoma Coast. The grapes benefit directly from the influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean which provides cool daytime breezes during bright sunny days to ensure proper ripening and chilly evening fogs to guarantee lively acidity for freshness in the finished wines.

At Flowers, Pinot Noir is partially de-stemmed to provide a 75% whole-berry environment in our small open-top fermenters. Pinot Noir is cold-soaked for five to seven days at a temperature of 45° F and the hand-punching-down begins. After the cold-soak period, the fermenter is warmed to 68 °F to 85 °F and wild yeast carries the fermentation to showcase the terroir and complexity. Once fermentation is complete the wines are left in contact with the skins for 10-15 days to further enhance flavor and color development. Free-run wines are drained using natural gravity flow to French oak barrels and the remaining skins are gently pressed in a small traditional basket press. All wines are aged between 14-16 months in small French oak barrels from Burgundian Coopers. The Flowers' philosophy is to retain all of the natural vineyard elements while hand-crafting Pinot Noir. This ensures the true expression of their unique vineyard sites when the wines are enjoyed.

Jeb Dunnuck

jd93

Moving to the reds, the appellation 2018 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast was just about completely destemmed (2% stems) and spent 10 months in 18% new French oak. Lots of spice box, earthy forest floor, cherries, and redcurrant notes define the bouquet, and it's medium-bodied and balanced, with good acidity and a great finish. As with everything from this estate, it's impeccably made and high-quality. Drink it over the coming 5-7 years.

May 21, 2020

Wine Enthusiast

we90

This wine opens in thick tannin and structure, with an enduring earthiness that takes form in forest-floor, black-tea and baking-spice elements. The fruit is elusive, conjuring hints of pomegranate, rhubarb and orange peel.

Virginie Boone, November 1, 2020

Vinous

The 2018 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is pretty, aromatic and super-elegant. Crushed flowers, dried cherry, mint, sage, cedar and tobacco are some of the many notes that develop in the glass. The 2018 is perfumed, light on its feet and exquisitely beautiful-all qualities that make it a terrific choice for drinking over the next handful of years. Drinking window: 2020-2026.

Antonio Galloni, April 2020

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Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2018

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Jeb Dunnuck

Wine Enthusiast

Vinous