TASTING NOTES:
Our Winemaker’s Cuvee is a blend of Pinot Noir from our vineyards in the Willamette Valley which were selected for their richness, complexity, and structure. This Pinot is an elegant wine that is fruit forward with ripe strawberry, red cherry, and pomegranate. Bright acidity and a lush mouthfeel with subtle hints of cola and clove round out the finish. This Pinot Noir is a perfect every day wine and is easy to enjoy!
Aromatics of ripe cherry and hints of oak. Medium bodied with smooth powdery tannins. Lingering savory finish. Predominately from Comely Bank Vineyard, Waihopai Valley Road, in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. Grapes are crushed and destemmed at the winery and go thru a 5-day cold soak before warming and inoculating with D254. The ferment is allowed to warm to 32 degrees, the grapes are then hand plunged twice daily to extract color and flavor.
⋅ 2018v – 91pts Wine Spectator
Iris embodies a cornucopia of flavors, with strawberry and raspberry and a hint of cherry.
Crisp & bright on the nose with a velvety smooth finish and slight oak overtone define this elegant work of art.
This label features artwork entitled “Tool of Dissent” –a blaze of color, expressive and captivating work is the artistic.
⋅ 90pts – Wine Enthusiast
⋅ 90pts – James Suckling
⋅ 90pts ‘Gold Medal’ – SF Int’l Wine Competition
⋅ 96pts – California State Fair
⋅ Double Gold – 2019 SF Chronicle Competition
⋅ Double Gold Medal – 2018 Sonoma County Fair
⋅ 94 Points ‘Double Gold Medal’ – Toast of the Coast Wine Competition
Red plum, red cherry and rose petals dominate the aromatics with subtle hints of sweet earth and spice. This medium bodied wine is wonderfully balanced with bright flavors of cherries and baked rhubarb. The acid and tannins play nicely off each other to deliver a beautifully balanced wine and showcases the cool-climate vineyard site and vintage. This medium bodied wine is wonderfully balanced with bright flavors of cherries and baked rhubarb.
Medium ruby-purple colored, with a meaty/ earthy nose with an undercurrent of black olives, pomegranate, black raspberries and plum, plus hints of spicebox and forest floor. The medium bodied palate in fruitier than the nose, with crisp acidity and a rich level of velvety tannins, finishing long.
Perfumed aromatics of red cherry, rose petals, oolong tea and sweet spice entice the senses. Unbashful flavors of cherry and ripe raspberry coat the taste buds. Lingering notes of cinnamon and sweet soil are complimented by subtle oak cooperage. This wine is a blend of the best Pinot Noir Blocks from Murmur and was aged in 20% new and thoughtfully chosen French barrels. A serious Pinot Noir in all respects.
An expressive garnet, this opulent, lively Pinot Noir has layers of black currant, wild berry and hibiscus with a touch of dried rose petal and cola aromas. Vibrant flavors of bright black cherry, plum, dried cranberries and a wisp of clove are framed by fine tannins. The mouthwatering acidity and structured layers of pure Pinot Noir fruit lingers through the energetic, finish.
92 Points Editor’s Choice – Wine Enthusiast
Our 2013 Symposium has a delicate, slightly hazy ruby hue and is distinguished from other Fort Ross Pinot Noirs by its masculine, savory notes of leather, baking spices and notes of black truffle. Complex layers of earthy bramble, red stone fruits and black raspberry blend seamlessly with hints of mulling spices, orange rind and dried flower petals. The suave, sumptuous texture carries through restrained tannins and the plush finish. The extra years in our cellar had been worth the wait as this wine is beautifully integrated.
Ruby in hue, this elegant, medium-bodied Pinot Noir entices with aromas of raspberry and orange pekoe tea, framed by touches of earthy mushroom, cola and a wisp of roses. The alluring aromatics lead to an integrated palate defined by layers of bing cherry, bramble berries with a dash of bright cranberry, and citrus. Fine, evolved, tannins and the Fort Ross Vineyard signature minerality are revealed through the smooth, mature, lingering finish. This Reserve Pinot Noir, comprised of our best 5 barrels of the vintage, will age gracefully for 7-10 years and beyond.
• 91+ Points – Wine Advocate, Robert Parker
• 91 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Sourced exclusively from cool climate vineyards, our classic California Pinot Noir has aromas of fresh red berries, cranberries, strawberries and plum. The wine is incredibly well-balanced and finishes with a spicy, sweet blood orange zest.
• Gold Medal – WSWA Tasting Competition