92 Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media

"Light, bright red. Seductive perfume of strawberry, flowers, smoky mineral and incense. Sweet, juicy and pure, with very good energy to the flavors of fresh red berries, spicecake and rose pastille. Deep but graceful, with very good finishing lift and lingering sweetness." 92 Points - Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar

"A wonderfully nuanced and very fresh nose of primarily red raspberry, cranberry and spice hints leads to supple yet textured medium-bodied flavors that possess a sophisticated mouth feel on the cool, clean and dry (in the best sense) finish that offers excellent persistence. I quite like this and it should also reward 3 to 5 years of cellar time." 90 Points - Allen Meadows - Burghound.com

"Silky and tight, this yields scents of jasmine and rose as it takes on air. Acidity lifts the inky red strawberry flavor, balancing its warmth. A young pinot, this needs a year or two of bottle age before serving with roast King salmon and chanterelles." 90 Points - Wine & Spirits Magazine

VITICULTURE:
"The Floodgate Vineyard is situated at the southern end of the Russian River’s Middle Reach, sited close to the point where the river’s broad floodplain hits the low rise of the Laguna Ridge. This location is cooler, foggier, and wetter than our Maddie’s Vineyard, which is several miles north in the Middle Reach. Here, maritime influences can be quite profound. Ocean breezes and morning fog stream through the Petaluma Gap, a break in the coastal hills, and up the Laguna Ridge."

"The old vine blocks of the Floodgate Vineyard are planted to the Martini selection #58 clone, now known as UCD#13. The Martini selections are descended from experimental plantings on which Louis M. Martini and Harold Olmo of U. C. Davis collaborated. Known for cultivating elegant wines when grown under proper conditions, the vines produce a very structured and complex Pinot Noir."

"Soils at Floodgate are a combination of Glen Ellen and Wilson Grove Formations. The former is composed of river gravels and other alluvia, while the latter is mainly uplifted sea floor. Both soil types drain well and provide a wonderful growing platform."

"The Floodgate Vineyard contains approximately 10 acres of old vines, 35- to 40-years-old, which yield wines that are at once refined and ethereal. Dry-farmed, these venerable vines are self-regulating and therefore very shy-bearing, producing no more than 1.5 tons per acre." -Winery