2017 Joseph Phelps "Freestone Vineyards" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
SKU #1421905
96 points
Wine Enthusiast
This expressive wine impresses in its expanse of savory tension and complexity, with accents of clove and cardamom. It is lightly styled on the palate and shows good integration of oak and polished tannins, filled out by the berry fruit core that offers length and breadth. *Editors' Choice* (VB)
(8/2019)
94 points
James Suckling
Lots of blueberries, blackberries and slate on the nose. Medium-bodied, integrated and tight. Refined and driven.
(3/2019)
93 points
Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards comes from a handful of sites and spent 13 months in one-third new French oak. Mostly destemmed (80%), its ruby hue is followed by a beautiful bouquet of cranberries, caramelized cherries, orange rind, and spicy aromas and flavors. It's nicely textured, balanced, has good acidity, and a great finish.
(1/2020)
93 points
Vinous
The 2017 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards is soft, supple and super-expressive. It offers dark cherry, plum, spice, leather and menthol on the nose, while bright red cherry, rose petal, mint and blood orange flavors are beautifully layered. The 20% whole clusters add aromatic nuance without overpowering the wine. The blend is 51% Quarter Moon and 49% Pastorale. (AG)
(5/2019)
92 points
Wine Advocate
The 2017 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyard was made using about 20% whole cluster and aged for 13 months in 34% new French oak. Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, it has a very open, gregarious nose of dried rose petals, potpourri, tree bark, red licorice and ripe red and black fruits with pretty spicy notes of cinnamon stick and clove. Light to medium-bodied, it has good layers of spicy, perfumed fruit in the mouth, with soft, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and spicy. (EB) 92+
(4/2019)
91 points
Burghound
A discreet but quite pretty nose grudgingly offers up notes of red raspberry, plum and violet nuances. The delicious, round and appealingly textured medium weight flavors possess a relatively sophisticated palate impression thanks primarily to the fine-grained tannins that also shape the moderately firm, dusty and balanced finale. This has the stuff to reward mid-term cellaring and is a wine that will need at least a few years. *Outstanding*
(10/2019)