Winemaker Notes
The Yu-ki vineyard’s proximity to the Sonoma Coast is re?ected in the nose of the 2017 Yu-ki Estate Pinot Noir, which displays scents of fresh earth, wild herbs and blackberries. On the palate, the young vines o?er enticing ?avors of ripe plums, along with freshness, moderate tannin's and balanced acidity. Of Freeman’s three Pinot Noir wines from the Sonoma Coast appellation, Yu-ki o?ers the greatest up-front satisfaction, and will be at its best in the least amount of time. It will be ready to drink from late 2019 through 2026.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Pretty, layered and polished to a T, this elegant wine is a clear standout. Ripe black cherries, hints of baking spices and forest floor fill the aroma while plush, generous cherry and plum notes coat the palate. Soft tannins and a creamy texture complete the picture.
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James Suckling
This offers so much in the way of sweet, ripe red-cherry aromas and flavors. There are crushed flowers on the nose with a swathe of finely layered tannin, holding such impressive shape and length.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Pinot Noir Yu-ki Estate comes from the far western Sonoma Coast, five miles from the Pacific and at 1,000 feet of elevation. The nose gives stewed black tea leaves, warm blackberries, nori, bergamot, rhubarb and potpourri with dried rose petal and warm earth hints. Light to medium-bodied, it has an intense, savory fruit core with lightly chalky tannins and integrated freshness, finishing long and layered.
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.