Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Pastorale Vineyard Pinot Noir

9.1168 ratings
9.234 pro ratings
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Rob Brobst III

The provenance was impeccable... A stunning bottle and the perfect representation of Pinot Noir from California.. @Antonio Galloni @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Shay A @leon egozi @Lyle Fass @Doug Davidson @Dick Schinkel @Carl Fischer @jesus g

The provenance was impeccable... A stunning bottle and the perfect representation of Pinot Noir from California.. @Antonio Galloni @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Shay A @leon egozi @Lyle Fass @Doug Davidson @Dick Schinkel @Carl Fischer @jesus g

Apr 4th, 2021
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Two Pinot’s with turkey & stuffing. This one was selected for its round evolution, nice array of dark & light fruits as well for its elegance. Handled Hedy’s dark Turkey meat and excellent stuffing.

The Phelps Pinot’s are good young but, get so much better with 7-10 years plus in bottle.

Two Pinot’s with turkey & stuffing. This one was selected for its round evolution, nice array of dark & light fruits as well for its elegance. Handled Hedy’s dark Turkey meat and excellent stuffing.

The Phelps Pinot’s are good young but, get so much better with 7-10 years plus in bottle.

Nov 29th, 2019
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

With each vintage, their Pinot’s get better & better.

On the nose, liqueured cherries, black cherries, strawberries, dry cranberries, touch of baked rhubarb, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, red licorice/cola, steep fruit tea. Dry brush, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, Provence herbs, warm toast, fresh red & dark florals with violets.

The body is medium, rich & lush. Liqueured cherries, black cherries, strawberries, dry cranberries, pomegranate, touch of baked rhubarb, blueberries, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, red licorice/cola, steep fruit tea. Dry brush, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, Provence herbs, warm toast, fresh red & dark florals with violets. Even though this wine was stored well, it wasn’t stored in my best storage. It might be two years ahead of schedule. However, the structure, tension, length and balance are about two years from its peak. The acidity is round and like a gentle rain shower. The long finish is well balanced, elegant, lush, rich and lasts minutes.

Photos of, the Estate vines as viewed from their patio, the old oak vats inside their tasting room that were once used for winemaking, event tasting room, and their tasting patio.

With each vintage, their Pinot’s get better & better.

On the nose, liqueured cherries, black cherries, strawberries, dry cranberries, touch of baked rhubarb, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, red licorice/cola, steep fruit tea. Dry brush, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, Provence herbs, warm toast, fresh red & dark florals with violets.

The body is medium, rich & lush. Liqueured cherries, black cherries, strawberries, dry cranberries, pomegranate, touch of baked rhubarb, blueberries, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, red licorice/cola, steep fruit tea. Dry brush, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, Provence herbs, warm toast, fresh red & dark florals with violets. Even though this wine was stored well, it wasn’t stored in my best storage. It might be two years ahead of schedule. However, the structure, tension, length and balance are about two years from its peak. The acidity is round and like a gentle rain shower. The long finish is well balanced, elegant, lush, rich and lasts minutes.

Photos of, the Estate vines as viewed from their patio, the old oak vats inside their tasting room that were once used for winemaking, event tasting room, and their tasting patio.

Jan 5th, 2019
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals bright red floral fruits with blue fruit hues. Strawberries, bright dark cherries & cherries, dry cranberries, pomegranate and blueberries. Vanilla, cinnamon stick, dark rich soil, limestone minerals with blue and red florals.

The body is medium. Strawberries, bright dark cherries & cherries, dry cranberries, pomegranate, touch of plum, and blueberries. Vanilla, cinnamon stick, dark rich soil, limestone minerals with blue and red florals. The acidity is like a waterfall. The long finish still needs to flush out but is delicious and shows very good promise for a better score in 3-5 years.

Photos of; the Joseph Phelps Sonoma facility now just used for production and no longer open for visitors, the lounge area of Joseph Phelps Napa visitor center, Pastorale Pinot grapes and their Pastorale Pinot Vineyard.

The nose reveals bright red floral fruits with blue fruit hues. Strawberries, bright dark cherries & cherries, dry cranberries, pomegranate and blueberries. Vanilla, cinnamon stick, dark rich soil, limestone minerals with blue and red florals.

The body is medium. Strawberries, bright dark cherries & cherries, dry cranberries, pomegranate, touch of plum, and blueberries. Vanilla, cinnamon stick, dark rich soil, limestone minerals with blue and red florals. The acidity is like a waterfall. The long finish still needs to flush out but is delicious and shows very good promise for a better score in 3-5 years.

Photos of; the Joseph Phelps Sonoma facility now just used for production and no longer open for visitors, the lounge area of Joseph Phelps Napa visitor center, Pastorale Pinot grapes and their Pastorale Pinot Vineyard.

Oct 9th, 2018
Rob Brobst III

There’s something about letting California Wines rest 3-5 years that makes them extraordinary better.

There’s something about letting California Wines rest 3-5 years that makes them extraordinary better.

Aug 1st, 2018
Danielle DiDuro

Marketing, Red Tail Ridge Winery

9.1

Earthy, cherry and beautifully layered

Earthy, cherry and beautifully layered

Mar 11th, 2018
Sipping Fine Wine

A single vineyard expression aged for 13 months in 50% new and 50% two-year-old French oak barrels. Aromas of red and dark berry fruits with earthy spice notes. On the palate, raspberry, cherry and plum flavors, rich and complex with nice mouthfeel, integrated tea spice and oak. Fine smooth tannins with good balance of acidity has plenty of room to develop. Long finish with subtle earthy character, an outstanding wine.

A single vineyard expression aged for 13 months in 50% new and 50% two-year-old French oak barrels. Aromas of red and dark berry fruits with earthy spice notes. On the palate, raspberry, cherry and plum flavors, rich and complex with nice mouthfeel, integrated tea spice and oak. Fine smooth tannins with good balance of acidity has plenty of room to develop. Long finish with subtle earthy character, an outstanding wine.

1 person found it helpfulNov 30th, 2019
Londa Rasmussen

Totally unctuous

Totally unctuous

1 person found it helpfulSep 8th, 2015
Mitzi Inglis

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.2

Biased review

Biased review

1 person found it helpfulApr 12th, 2015
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

On the nose; sweet, sour & tart fruits of; dark cherries, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, hints of blue fruits and pomegranate. Dry crushed rocks and dark soils. On the palate, the fruits are lean, muted or in a sleepy stage early on. Plums, dark cherries, cherries, strawberries and raspberries and blue fruits paint the background. Nice spices that lift in intensity as it set on the palate. Crushed dry rocks, loamy soils, dry red flowers, red & pink roses with high acidity. The finish is long, fresh and delicious. Photos of the giant JP corkscrew and separate private rooms used for more complete tasting and or dining experiences.

On the nose; sweet, sour & tart fruits of; dark cherries, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, hints of blue fruits and pomegranate. Dry crushed rocks and dark soils. On the palate, the fruits are lean, muted or in a sleepy stage early on. Plums, dark cherries, cherries, strawberries and raspberries and blue fruits paint the background. Nice spices that lift in intensity as it set on the palate. Crushed dry rocks, loamy soils, dry red flowers, red & pink roses with high acidity. The finish is long, fresh and delicious. Photos of the giant JP corkscrew and separate private rooms used for more complete tasting and or dining experiences.

May 9th, 2017