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Fort Ross Vineyard

2019 Pinotage

2019 Pinotage

Wine Specs
Vintage
2019
Varietal
Pinotage
Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview
Harvest Date
October 8, 219
Aging
12 Months in French oak, 20% new
Bottling Date
September, 2020
Add To Cart
$62.00
 
SKU: FOPT19

From our mountain vineyard that overlooks the Sonoma Coast in the Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticultural Area, Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery produces limited quantities of single vineyard, Estate grown, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinotage. With spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean less than one mile away, the vineyard is divided into 32 separate blocks, one-half to two acres in size, that range in elevation from 1700 down to 1200 feet above sea level. Owners, Lester and Linda Schwartz with their small crew began preparing the 52 acre vineyard in 1994. It took them 4 years of preparation before they could begin planting. The year 2000 marked the first vintage from the Fort Ross Vineyard.

91 POINTS - JAMES SUCKLING
Charming and varietally correct. Aromas of dark cherries, plums, tobacco and rubber. The palate is vibrant with a medium-bodied mouthfeel, fine tannins and bright acidity, with delicate notes of sour cherries, dried herbs, bark and forest floor. Drink or hold.

Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The result of a memorable growing season, the 2019 Pinotage proved to be an excellent representation of what meticulous farming and skilled winemaking in a challenging vintage can produce. Offering marked elegance and restraint in both aroma and flavor, this wine begins with an intriguing harmony of baked red fruits, black cherry, baking spice, and fresh coffee grounds. Rustic flavors of black tea and fresh earth add complexity to a fruit driven core of luscious, macerated blackberry and cassis. As a testament to its bright future, this Pinotage is loaded with youthful tannin and bright acidity from the cool, maritime climate of our estate vineyard. One year of aging in 20% new French oak barrels provides an added layer of texture to the long, persistent finish. The robust flavors pair beautifully with spices, rich Italian food, smoked and grilled meats, anything from a wood fired oven and for the adventurous berry desserts. Prior to release, it was patiently cellared until optimal and will certainly age gracefully for years to come.
Vineyard Notes
Pinotage was first developed in South Africa in 1925 by crossing the two vinifera varieties, Pinot Noir and Cinsault which was called Hermitage at the time. Our Pinotage consists of two Fort Ross proprietary clones, MM1 and MM3, developed at UC Davis from budwood personally imported by Fort Ross from one of the most select Pinotage vineyards in South Africa.
Production Notes
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this Pinotage were handpicked during the cool hours of the night in small two-gallon picking trays. After hand sorting, the fruit was cold soaked for several days and fermented in a single 5 ton tank. During fermentation, the wine was pumped over and sparingly punched down, to carefully control the amount of extraction from the thicker skins in order to produce a well-balanced, age-worthy Pinotage. Shortly after pressing, the wine was barreled in a combination of 20% new and 80% neutral French oak for 12 months.
Other Notes
360 cases produced

2019 Pinotage

Wine Specs
Vintage
2019
Varietal
Pinotage
Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview
Harvest Date
October 8, 219
Aging
12 Months in French oak, 20% new
Bottling Date
September, 2020
Add To Cart
$62.00
 
SKU: FOPT19