Pinot Noir (2016)
SommeliAI Insights
A vibrant Pinot Noir with rich raspberry aromas, deep fruit flavors, and subtle spice notes.
About this wine
The 2016 Flanagan Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast offers a nose reminiscent of Chambord, featuring rich raspberry notes. On the palate, it presents deep fruit flavors complemented by hints of Christmas spices like clove and nutmeg. The wine displays vibrant acidity and concludes with a clean finish. This vintage was sourced from the Gap’s View and Platt vineyards, as well as two others, and aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 46% new. The Sonoma Coast AVA is renowned for its cool climate, which contributes to the wine's balanced structure and expressive fruit character.
About the grape
Pinot Noir, meaning "black pine cone" in French due to its dark color and tightly clustered grapes, is one of the oldest grape varieties, with cultivation in Burgundy dating back to at least the 1st century AD. In Sonoma County, Pinot Noir was first planted in the late 1960s by pioneers like Joe Rochioli and Joseph Swan, who recognized the region's potential for this finicky grape. The Sonoma Coast, with its cool, foggy climate influenced by the Pacific Ocean, provides ideal conditions for Pinot Noir, allowing for a longer growing season that enhances the grape's complexity. Flanagan Wines, producing their 2016 Pinot Noir from this region, benefits from these unique climatic conditions, resulting in a wine that reflects the distinctive terroir of the Sonoma Coast.
Quick facts
- 🍇 The 2016 Flanagan Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast is crafted from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, showcasing the pure expression of this varietal.
- 🛢️ This wine underwent fermentation in open-top fermenters for 10 days, followed by 11 months of aging in French oak barrels, 46% of which were new, contributing to its complex flavor profile.
- 🌦️ The Sonoma Coast AVA, where this wine originates, is renowned for its cool climate and high rainfall, creating ideal conditions for cultivating Pinot Noir grapes.
- 🏅 The 2016 vintage received a 91-point rating from James Suckling, who noted its savory dark stone and coal dust aromas, complemented by ripe red and black cherries on the palate.
- 🌱 Flanagan Winery emphasizes sustainable farming practices, ensuring that their vineyards remain healthy and productive for future generations.
Palate profile
Producer
Flanagan Wines was founded in 1999 by Eric Flanagan, who transitioned from a banking career to pursue his passion for viticulture. He began by planting a vineyard on Bennett Mountain in Sonoma County, California, which later became part of the Bennett Valley AVA. In 2016, Flanagan expanded by acquiring the historic Everett Ridge Winery in Dry Creek Valley, enhancing production capacity and public engagement. The winery is known for sourcing grapes from esteemed vineyards like Platt Ranch and Gap's View, focusing on sustainable farming practices. Eric's daughter, Riley Flanagan, launched her own wine brand, "Riley's Rows," in 2017, continuing the family's winemaking legacy.
