Flowers Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir 2013

Many wineries claim to be “on the coast” but disappointingly, for some, that means a short 20 or 30 minute drive down to the coast. Very few have the type of relationship with the coast as the legendary wine pioneers Walt & Joan Flowers and their immaculate estate.

For almost 30 years, Flowers Vineyards and Winery has grown some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the rugged coastal ridges of the extreme Sonoma Coast. Joan and Walt Flowers had a simple goal, to make exceptional wine that captures the wild beauty of the land and the spirit of the Sonoma Coast. They’ve been able to do that and a whole lot else crafting distinctive wines that capture the spirit of the Sonoma Coast and benefit from its elevated, rocky terrain.

Perched on top of soaring coastal ridges that border the nearby Pacific Ocean, the two estate vineyards are Camp Meeting Ridge and Sea View Ridge with elevations from 1,150 to 1,875 feet. Flowers resides in the Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticulture Area (AVA), which was established in 2012 and located on the extreme western edge of the Sonoma Coast Appellation.

2013 has really proven to be a special vintage for Napa, Sonoma Coast and much of California. With smooth, even conditions, this one has tremendous natural acidity and smooth silky tannins that make it exceptionally easy to enjoy. Notes of cherry, pomegranate, and some dried, savory spices, this is a complex wine that is beautifully as it begins to unwind from the glass. Like most of the Flowers bottlings I’ve had, this one adds nuance every time you go back for another sip. This for sure is a thinking person’s Pinot Noir.