Winemaker Notes
A distinctive forest character marks this pure and savory expression of coastal Pinot Noir. Aromas conjure the moist morning canopy of old-growth redwoods—minerally fresh, and cool. Soil and ocean air converge with herbal botanicals and umami quality of tamari and pine. The palate moves with cool-season precision, its delicate, juicy red raspberry and tart plum flavors married to the earth with fine, chalky textures throughout.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is a medium ruby color and is fresh on the nose with notes of lifted spice, compact red berries, Bing cherries, roses, and sweet herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, with a polished and fine texture, a silky feel, and clean elegance through the finish. It’s a lovely and charming Pinot Noir with a lot of finesse.
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Decanter
There is an oomph and intensity to the 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Flowers, with ripe fruits and generous forest character. Aromas of gravel dust, pine tar and smashed blue fruits come to the fore with whispers of violet florality. The palate shows a core of red and blue brambles, a nearly feral character to them. The savoury elements are followed by dried herbs, black tea, and a touch of mace. There's an intense saline throughline that crescendos at the finish.
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James Suckling
It's one of the first 2023 Sonoma pinots to be released and a great reflection of the long, cool growing season. Tangy, fresh and well balanced, with intricate orange zest, cinnamon, red cherry and black tea flavors on a vibrant, acid-driven texture. Medium- to full-bodied.
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Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is another terrific wine from Flowers. Bright, aromatic and lifted, it offers up an exotic mélange of crushed red berry fruit, cedar, cinnamon, pipe tobacco and dried herbs. Strong floral and savory inflections lend energy throughout. The 2023 is light on its feet and quite delicate, not to mention long on personality.
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Wine Spectator
Fresh and focused, with raspberry and blood orange coulis lined with rooibos tea and savory notes. A subtle mineral thread supports the finish. Offers a textbook Sonoma Coast profile. Drink now through 2029. 34,600 cases made.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast was matured for 10 months in 20% new French oak. Cranberry and blackberry aromas pour from the glass, accented by wafts of saline, aniseed and Earl Grey tea leaves. The medium-bodied palate is bursting with bitters- and citrus-laced flavors. It’s structured by silky tannins and bight acidity and has a long, expressive finish.
Over 25 years ago, Flowers Vineyards and Winery pioneered the growing of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the rugged coastal ridges of the extreme Sonoma Coast. Joan and Walt Flowers had a simple goal, to make exceptional wine that captures the wild beauty of the land and the spirit of the Sonoma Coast. This idea continues to drive everything we do - farming responsibly, harvesting by hand, using 100% native fermentation, and making wine with minimal intervention. Our unwavering commitment to crafting distinctive wines that capture the spirit of the Sonoma Coast has been the bedrock of our success, and it will continue to drive us forward for years to come.
Perched on top of soaring coastal ridges that border the nearby Pacific Ocean, our estate vineyards, Camp Meeting Ridge and Sea View Ridge, rise to impressive elevations from 1,150 to 1,875 feet. Flowers resides in the Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticulture Area (AVA), which was established in 2012 and located on the extreme western edge of the Sonoma Coast Appellation. Defined by elevation, rugged terrain and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, vineyard plantings are limited to 920-1,800+ft above sea level and are only 2% of the total AVA acreage.
The Pacific Ocean is less than two miles from the vineyards, generating cooling sea breezes and coastal fog while the soaring elevations ensure abundant sunshine for a long, slow growing season. Together they create an ideal environment for elegant and nuanced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Sonoma Coast AVA is large in area but, not counting overlapping regions like Russian River Valley, only has a few thousand acres of grapevines—and it’s no wonder. Much of the region is rugged and not easily accessible. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean’s fog and cool breezes limits the varieties that can be cultivated, but it proves to be an ideal environment for high quality Pinot Noir.
Since fog is a frequent fact of life here, as are heavy marine layers that sometimes bring rain, the best vineyards are wisely planted above the fog line, on picturesque ridges that capture enough sun to provide even ripening. That, with the overnight drop in temperature that reliably preserves acidity, results in fine expressions of Pinot Noir that often receive tremendous critic and consumer praise alike, and are often in high demand.