Joseph Phelps 2011 Pinot Freestone Vineyards
Exceptional Red for a Red, White & Blue Day!
I recently posted comments on Joseph Phelps 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, their regular Cabernet offering, and was extremely impressed with the wine I wanted to try their Pinot Noir and see how the quality matches up with his Vinification of other grapes. I previously discussed That Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned winery founded in 1973, so refer to my May 2, 2014 Post to get additional background.
The philosophy of Joseph Phelps Vineyards is to maintain, preserve and (where possible and appropriate) ecologically enhance the natural vineyard environment. While this goal is essential for present vineyard practices, it will have an even more profound effect on the development of maturing vineyards in the future. Joseph Phelps Vineyards strive to achieve the greatest possible ecological health in their vineyards, and builds upon the sustainable vineyard practices they developed since the early 1980s, and gradually embracing a style of farming known as “biodynamic agriculture” or simply, “biodynamics.” Biodynamics is the process of designing agriculture and farm management so that each farm becomes increasingly self-contained and self-supporting in every way possible. By combining natural farming practices (such as composting, recycling of nutrients, careful water management, cover crops and so on) with natural “remedies” for deficiencies and seasonal changes (such as simple, non-toxic biological field and foliar sprays) biodynamics offers an ecologically advanced system that is readily tailored to the specific, local conditions of every farm, vineyard, orchard and/or garden towards self-sustainability. Check out Joseph Phelps Vineyards website and read about their seven key ecological elements practiced at the vineyard.
Joe Phelps has had a life-long love affair with the wines of Burgundy and a desire to craft wines in that style so he searched for the perfect combination of climate, soil and location and found that recipe in Freestone, located in the Sonoma Coast, six miles from the Pacific Ocean. In 1999, Phelps began developing 100 acres of vineyards just outside of Freestone, and today, 80 acres are devoted to Pinot Noir and 20 acres to Chardonnay. Opening a bottle of 2011 Pinot from Phelps’ Freestone Vineyards (59% came from Pastorale and 41% came from Quarter Moon Vineyards) I noticed a bright ruby red color and aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries and vanilla spices leading to a rich mouth-watering taste of fresh red fruit with a slight citrus tang balanced with slight tannins on a fine finish. This is worth a try if you want something special from Phelps. The price is about $50.
Cheers!