Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a gorgeously light coastal offering, a subdued expression of the variety that unravels its layers slowly and methodically. Red cherry, lavender and blueberry are revealed on the palate as perfumed shocks of rose and salty air permeate the nose. Vibrantly crisp, it has a slight grip to the velvety texture.
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James Suckling
Aromas of blueberry and ash with some spice. Medium to full body, juicy fruit, light tannins and a lightly candied fruit finish.
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Wine & Spirits
This iteration of Flowers’ multi-vineyard blend from western Sonoma is a bit lush compared to some other vintages, perhaps due to the warmth of the 2014 growing season, yet it’s stitched together by brisk coastal acidity and the tannins of fruit grown on sandy ridgetops. Its initial dark cherry flavor gains levity in the finish, heading toward spicy suggestions of apple skin and pomegranate, drawing a line of red fruit that’s delicious and immediate, ample but not heavy.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Open-knit and beautiful, the 2014 Flowers Pinot Noir brings some of the best elements of the "true Sonoma Coast" to the fore. Showing itself nicely now and ready for a rack of lamb. Medium garnet color; vibrant red fruit aroma, almost a hint of flowers, excellent depth and freshness; medium bodied, fine crunch on the palate; dry, nice acidity, well balanced; bright and elegant red fruit flavors, youthful and ready for action; lively strawberry and blue fruits in the aftertaste. (March 21, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
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.