Pinot Noir

Our current releases of Pinot Noir include

Dierberg Vineyard, 2006

Rancho Santa Rosa, 2006

Rio Vista Vineyard, "Dijon" Sta. Rita Hills, 2005

Rio Vista Vineyard, "667" Sta. Rita Hills, 2005

Solomon Hills, Santa Maria Valley, 2005

Salisbury, San Luis Obispo County, 2005

Dierberg Santa Maria Valley, 2006

$42 per bottle

It is so interesting to make wine from a specific vineyard and block year after year and to experience the subtleties in the fruit due to vine age. The 2006 Pinot Noir from the Dierberg vineyard is the sixth Flying Goat release from this 161-acre paradise for Pinot Noir. The cooling breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean allow Jim Dierberg’s stellar vineyard crew to grow a cornucopia of ten different clones in twenty-five distinct blocks, including some classic and “old world” selections. Flying Goat is fortunate to obtain both clone 115 (one of the Dijonaise clones) and clone 31 (aka the Martini clone) from Block 3 of this ultra-premium vineyard.

A glistening maroon color with garnet edges shimmers in the glass. A swirl unleashes spicy notes of sandalwood, lavender and cran-cherry with underlying hints of smoked bacon. That first taste first reminds of blackberries, then a bit of forest floor earthiness and hints of mocha, followed by nuances of boysenberry. The 2006 Pinot Noir, Dierberg is certainly displaying the maturity of the vines with superb structure and chic complexity from both fruit and barrel. Although the sunshine that always seemed to be a component to Flying Goat wines from Dierberg is still there, the wine displays a classiness that only comes with maturity and experience. This is a beautiful wine with “old world” style, and a lingering finish that just keeps going. Bring on the food!

Click here for full winemaking and tasting notes.

Rancho Santa Rosa Sta. Rita Hills, 2006

$44 per bottle

Hard to believe that this is the fifth vintage of a Rancho Santa Rosa vineyard designated wine for Flying Goat Cellars! Planted in 1998 with the first harvest in 2002, the 240-acre vineyard is sub-divided into 35 unique blocks, each with different soils, aspects, clones, and rootstocks painstakingly matched to that particular site. The fruit for the 2006 Flying Goat Cellars wine hails from block 16, a fabulous little hillside bowl interlaced with chunks of limestone – the holy grail of soil for Pinot Noir!

There is a definite new world attitude exhibited by the 2006 Pinot Noir, Ranch Santa Rosa. A rich ruby color and a brilliant clarity first entices. Aromas of black cherry, red plum and blueberry burst from the glass and are echoed on the palate with a first sip. This is a big, Sta. Rita Hills styled wine with exuberant proclamations of ripe plums, concentrated blueberries, a hint of pomegranate and sassafras spice. Yet, for all the lively fruit notes, the wine is stylish – a silky texture, superb balance and elegant tannins round out the profile of this vibrant wine. Delightful now, the 2006 Pinot Noir, Rancho Santa Rosa will continue to age gracefully for 5-7 years.

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Rio Vista, Dijon Clones Sta. Rita Hills, 2005

$45 per bottle

The Rio Vista Vineyard is obviously one of Flying Goat Cellars favorite locations as a number of different bottlings bear the name of the Thorne family’s vineyard. The 2005 vintage was one of those “wow, can you believe it?” years. Abundant rains in the early part of the year refreshed the soils and the vines and, combined with a long and textbook-perfect growing season, resulted in a bountiful crop of gorgeous quality. The new wines were aromatic, fruity, balanced and beautiful while still in the fermenters. All of the different lots of Pinot Noir blocks and clones from Rio Vista were kept separate, tasted over the coming months and allowed to quietly age in the barrel for 15 months. At that time, the different components of the vintage were tasted and a blend assembled. Ah, the Rio Vista spice cabinet!

The 2005 vineyard blend ended up with clones 115, 667 and 777 – each contributing a component and enhancing the others. The result is a highly structured wine with layers of complexity and intrigue. As all three Pinot Noir clones in this assemblage are from the “Dijonaise” clonal family, the label sports a “Dijon” brand. A dark burgundy (of course!) color foretells of the depth of this wine. Upon a swirl classic notes of cherry, black cherry and holiday cranberry are unleashed. A silky texture precedes fruit notes of dried cherry, rhubarb and blackcurrants, then some nice elegant dusty tannins, a mineral-laden earthiness and more cran-cherry. Beautifully balanced with firm structure and a yin-yang of fruit notes. So…”please pass the Dijon?”

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Rio Vista, Clone 667 Sta. Rita Hills, 2005

$42 per bottle

The Rio Vista Vineyard is located at the far eastern boundary of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, an appellation that is known for the excellence of Pinot Noir grown here. Flying Goat Cellars has been purchasing fruit from the Thorne family since the first harvest in 2003 and have chosen clones 777, 115, 2A and 667 from various blocks in the vineyard for the Flying Goat portfolio of wines. The plentiful yields of the vintage allowed Flying Goat Cellars winemaker/owner Norm Yost to produce several small lots of clonally designated wines, including this bottling which showcases the Dijon Clone 667.

Clone 667 is one of the “Dijonaise” clones and originated in Morey St. Denis in France’s Cote d’Or. It has small to average sized berries and a nice, compact “pinecone” shape. The Flying Goat block of 667 at Rio Vista is in Block 7, which is on a sloping hillside with rows that run east-west. A gregarious youthfulness in the barrel prompted the decision to age this wine for a bit longer than usual, and 2005 Clone 667 spent 18 months in barrel.

A pretty bouquet of red berry and a hint of violet rise from the glass in this ruby colored wine. Ripe raspberries and a restrained hint of caramel mocha are joined by red plum and strawberry notes on the palate. High toned fruit and a hint of vanilla bean meld with an allspice character typical of the Rio Vista Vineyard. The 2005 Pinot Noir Clone 667 is a voluptuously plush wine on the mid-palate, soft and round in structure with bright berry flavors. This is an easy-going wine that is ready to thoroughly enjoy now.

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Solomon Hills Vineyard is owned and managed by the same stellar team from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyard. It’s situated to the southwest of Bien Nacido, and so enjoys a location closer to the ocean – making it the most western and coolest vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley appellation. A perfect spot for picky Pinot Noir!

Get out your extreme burgundy wine glass for this wine – it likes a good swirl and a bit of aeration to strut its stuff. And naturally, the color of this wine is a brilliant burgundy color with crimson edges and jewel-like highlights. On the nose, there are first toasty notes, then red plum and the typical wild strawberry aromas of Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir. A silky texture precedes flavors of dark cherry and black plum, and a hint of coffee and a bit of grilled game mingle with high-toned fruit and a lively acidity. Medium bodied, fleshy on the mid-palate and beautifully integrated, the wine provides a long and lingering finish. Delightful now, but still a baby!

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Salisbury Vineyard, San Luis Obispo County, 2005

$34 per bottle

Who could resist the opportunity to source Pinot Noir from the closest vineyard to the Pacific Ocean in the Central Coast? The Salisbury Vineyard is not (yet) well known, and a bit “out there”, and so a perfect prospect for Flying Goat Cellars! We initially hoped to craft a Pinot Noir from this unique vineyard in 2004, but had to wait another year before the stars (Capricorn of course) were aligned. We think the wait was definitely worth it!

A glance at the wine resting in a crystal Burgundy wineglass foretells of the elegance and sophistication of this wine. Crimson-colored with maroon edges, this wine glistens with highlights and exuberance! A swirl releases berry notes of strawberry and dried raspberry, a distinctive white-pepper spice and barrel aromas of caramel and smoke. A silky texture delivers additional flavors of cranberry and pomegranate onto the palate. Still youthful, the 2005 Pinot Noir, Salisbury Vineyard has a nice spicy mid-palate grip, lively acids and superb balance. The finish is lingering, with notes of dried currant and red plum rounding out the elegant flavor profile.

Click here for full winemaking and tasting notes.