Winemaker Notes
A radiant garnet, this lively Pinot Noir has bright notes of raspberry, ripe cranberry, and rose petal aromas. Vibrant flavors of luscious Ranier cherry, crushed strawberry, and red currant seamlessly intertwine with hints of hibiscus framed by firm tannins. The crisp acidity and structured, elegant layers of pure Pinot Noir fruit linger through the energetic finish. Sea Slopes is a true expression of a coastal Pinot Noir.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Opening in a burst of berry with tannic energy, this wine shows impressive length, grace and complexity. Forest, black tea and clove accent a core of raspberry, pomegranate and cranberry, with a pretty rose petal accent throughout
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Fort Ross Winery Sea Slopes Pinot Noir shows excellent primary fruit that stays long and tenderly on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers attractive aromas and flavors of black fruit, spice, and anise. Check it out with garlic and rosemary-infused roast leg of lamb. (Tasted: May 18, 2021, 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.