90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Gold Medal - Critics Challenge International
WINEMAKING
To produce authentic varietal character fruit was harvested at slightly lower sugar to enhance the red fruit flavors, acid and ageability of the wine. Cultured yeast called Assmanshausen for fermentation. This particular yeast strain ferments slowly which allows the absorption of delicate flavors and aromas. The wine was aged in just enough new oak for structure and ageability.
ESTATE VINEYARDS
Located just south of Healdsburg, Foppiano Vineyards sits on 160 acres in the acclaimed Russian River Valley. Cool morning fog and warm summer days create an ideal microclimate for grape growing. The Foppiano family has been producing world class fruit on this land since its purchase in 1896. Today, the vineyards are planted to Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc on the warmer bench lands, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the cooler land close to the Russian River.
COOPERAGE
16 Months – Tight grain French Oak - 35% New
Vintage: 2019
Wine Type: Red Wine
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Harvest Date: September 28, 2019
Aging: 16 Months – Tight grain French Oak - 35% New
Bottling Date: January 2021
pH: 3.65
TA: 0.58 g/100ml
Alcohol: 14.5%
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
90 Points
Deep garnet in color, with enticing aromas of brandied cherry, lavender, and forest floor. The palate is juicy and engaging with blueberries coursing through with depth and keeps you running back for more. Pure and balanced with perfect levels of acidity with notes of salted caramel, and cocoa. It's ripe silky tannins lead to a long supple finish that just keeps on giving.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
93 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
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