Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | U.S.A. > California > Sonoma |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
Coming from a vineyard on the Sonoma Coast and not destemmed, the 2018 Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard is unquestionably one of the softer, more approachable wines in the lineup. Wild strawberry, passion fruits, violets, and rose petal notes all emerge from the glass, and this pretty, supple, elegant effort has rounded tannins, a great texture, and outstanding length. It also happens to be the lowest in alcohol in the lineup at 12.5%. Drink it any time over the coming 8-10 years. 2020-2030
Falstaff is 8.2 miles (13 km) from the ocean at 505 feet (155 m) but, because it sits in a particularly foggy pocket, the Kutchs describe it as 'easily our coldest site. In 1999 owners Ron and Judy Lougheed planted the Goldridge soils to three different clones of Pinot Noir. Today they have managed to cultivate some of the most intense and smallest clusters of fruit we receive. With berries often the size of peas, our tiny yields are often below 1 ton per acre and while economics are challenged, the quality is bountiful.' Made the same way as the Sonoma Coast blend. Picked on 1 October. 22 barrels produced. Morello cherries on the nose of this wine that should probably be tasted before the richer McDougall Ranch Pinot. Rather a delicate wine which, for some reason, seems less marked by whole-bunch acidity – perhaps because of the mineral zestiness from the site itself. It certainly vindicates Jamie Kutch's single-vineyard approach because it is so distinctively different from the rest. Very fine-grained. But not too freighted by tannin, so it could be enjoyed already, with or without food. Sinewy. 2019-2025
The 2018 Falstaff Vineyard pinot noir from Jamie Kutch is one of his lowest octane wines in this vintage, coming in at 12.5 percent, but this is hardly a surprise, as this vineyard is one of the coolest on the Sonoma Coast. The wine saw no new oak, is one hundred percent whole clusters and had its punch downs done by foot. The nose wafts from the glass in a superb blend of black cherries, sweet dark berries, raw cocoa, gorgeous soil tones, sweet stems, woodsmoke, pigeon and a gentle topnote of mustard seed. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish, transparent and tightly-knit, with a good core, impressive balance and grip and a long, svelte, moderately tannic and vibrant finish. This is one of those pinot noirs that seems very likely to put on weight with bottle age and should start really singing five to seven years out. Fine juice. 2025-2055.