Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2021
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The 2021 vintage started off cold and dry. Initially inconsistent weather patterns created a lighter crop, but mild to warm weather later provided perfect conditions to develop concentration and flavor. Overall, a very nice harvest producing beautifully concentrated wines. Aromas of black currant, plum, and spice. Flavors of raspberry, violet, and red cherry.
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Checking all the boxes for a California Pinot, this full-bodied wine offers fresh, vibrant red- and black-cherry flavors and an agile structure of moderate acidty and tannins for a pleasant grip on the palate. Nuances of black tea, cinnamon and cloves take it up a step in complexity and interest. Best through 2028.
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Francis Ford Coppola Winery, re-opened in July 2010, is the latest venture from Francis Ford Coppola, whose passion for wine, food and adventure is nowhere more evident than in this new production – a winery resort located in the heart of Alexander Valley, California. Among the many attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features a wine tasting bar, two restaurants, swimming pools, a movie gallery, a performing arts pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts.
Francis puts it best, saying the winery is meant to be "a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life – food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life."
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.