Like the Joseph Phelps Chardonnay reviewed, its Pinot Noir sibling no longer is branded as “Freestone Vineyards,”yet the grape sourcing–all from the Freestone estate–and winemaking are the same. Winemaker Theresa Heredia, who moved to Gary Farrell Winery in mid-2012, made this wine, which has a deep garnet color and intense cassis and blackberry aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied, silky in texture, and has complexity notes of black tea, black truffle and allspice. It’s still quite young and will likely open with another year in bottle. The alcohol is 13.5 percent, for those who are concerned about such things.
Joseph Phelps, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2010
By Linda Murphy