94 Points Parker                        

Fantastic new Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir release from the legendary Joseph Phelps. 

96 Points Robert Parker: "The Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards takes time to open, metamorphosing from iron and woodsmoke to raspberries, dried flowers, dark spices and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate is silky and seamlessly fresh, loaded with perfectly ripe, earth-laced fruits whose flavors linger for a very long time in the mouth. This has the fruit intensity and structure to age very well in bottle."

95 Points James Suckling: " Blueberry and spice with lightly toasted notes and some nuts. Full, yet very tight, with refined tannins and polish. Linear and long. Intense and vivid. A beauty. This needs time to open."

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, the Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards reveals a medium ruby, semi-opaque hue to go with stunning notes of ripe black cherries, black tea, spice, and a distinct, racy, reductive, mineral nuance that builds with time in the glass. Beautifully textured, nicely structured, and balanced, it's going to cruise for 5-7 years, if not over a decade, in cold cellars."

93 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards is a gorgeous introduction to these wines. Aromatic, nuanced and wonderfully expressive, the 2019 hits all the right notes. Sweet rose petal, dried herbs, red cherry, pomegranate and cedar are some of the many notes that open in the glass. All the elements are so nicely balanced. "

 ...the venerable Joseph Phelps Vineyards Napa facility has undergone a complete facelift and renovation. They started their Sonoma Coast Freestone project in 1998, and it’s hard to believe it’s nearly 17 years of age. They are making some very Burgundian, cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from sites they own, and the wines merit considerable attention. Most of the Chardonnay vineyards are planted with the Old Wente selection, along with some of the newer Dijon clonal material. With the Pinot Noir, it is both California clones and Dijon clones."