By Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery
2017 'Stagecoach Road' Pinot Noir, Fort Ross Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview

Winemaker's Note
From our mountain vineyard that overlooks the Sonoma Coast in the Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticultural Area, Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery produces limited quantities of single vineyard, estate-grown, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinotage. With spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean less than one mile away, the vineyard is divided into 32 separate blocks, one-half to two acres in size, ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Owners Lester and Linda Schwartz, with their small crew, began preparing the 52-acre vineyard in 1994. It took them four years of preparation before they could start planting. The year 2000 marked the first vintage from the Fort Ross Vineyard.

Vintage
The 2017 growing season welcomed generous rainfall for the first several months of the year. After five drought years, the soils were hydrated, and our irrigation pond was brimming. Bud-break occurred in mid-March, followed by a warmer-than-usual spring, which brought an early fruit set; fortunately, the rains had subsided by then. The summer enjoyed mild to average 80- to 85-degree temperatures, allowing the grapes to develop ideal complexity and flavors with optimal development. During the first week of September, California experienced a heat spike. With this, the first few blocks were harvested. Temperatures then mellowed during the remainder of harvest, allowing each variety to be picked at the ideal time. Pinot Noir was unhurriedly harvested between August 31st and September 19th, one of the many advantages of growing grapes overlooking the cool Pacific Ocean. Chardonnay was picked September 10th through 14th, and the slower ripening Pinotage on October 3rd. Fortunately, our fruit was picked before the heartbreaking 2017 Sonoma fires. The vintage brought in lower yields, producing wines with great depth and concentration, while the hydrated soils delivered vibrant aromatics and acidity.

Winemaking
The grapes for this Pinot Noir were handpicked during the cool night hours in 2-gallon trays. After hand sorting, the fruit was cold-soaked for several days and fermented in a combination of 5- and 10-ton tanks. The caps were punched down 1 or 2 times per day, depending on the stage of the fermentation. The wines were then barreled in a combination of 50% new and 50% neutral French oak. Throughout the ten months of barrel aging, the clones and different vineyard blocks were kept separate to maintain their distinct flavor profiles and structural components as blending elements. These grapes are sourced from specific blocks where the old Stagecoach Road ran through our vineyard, and Black Bart, the famous "Gentleman Bandit" Highwayman, robbed the Wells Fargo Stagecoach in 1877.

Tasting Notes
Stagecoach Road Pinot Noir grapes are grown in the vineyard blocks closest to the ocean with some of the darkest soils on the estate, and they are always our boldest Pinot Noirs. This deep, ruby-colored cuvee exudes aromas of black raspberry, cassis, and plum with warm earth and savory notes. The palate is succulent with layers of black currant, boysenberry, cherry, beetroot, cocoa, and spice. The integrated, well-structured tannins carry throughout the long, polished finish enlivened with acidity. This wine is drinking beautifully now and will cellar for years to come.

Technical Details
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Vineyard: Fort Ross Vineyard
Clonal Selection: Calera
Aging: 10 months in 100% French oak; 50% new oak barrels
Bottled: August 2018, unfined and unfiltered
Winemaker: Jeff Pisoni
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

2017 Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery Pinot Noir Estate Stagecoach Road
Rating: 94
Producer: Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery
Wine Region: USA, California, North Coast, Sonoma County, Fort Ross-Seaview
Variety: Pinot Noir
Color / Type / Sweetness: Red / Table / Dry
Reviewed by: Erin Brooks
Release Price: $80
Drink Date: 2020 - 2027
The 2017 Pinot Noir Estate Stagecoach Road has slowly opening aromas of roasted cranberries and blackberries accented by potpourri, Earl Grey tea leaves, dusty earth, woodsmoke and cola. The palate is medium-bodied, silky and nuanced with loads of spicy, bitters-like accents and great freshness, finishing long and layered.
Published: Aug 13, 2020

Fort Ross Vineyard 2017 Stagecoach Road Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot Noir (Fort Ross-Seaview)
From: Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma, California, US
Rating: 93
Price: $80
Winery: Fort Ross Vineyard
Region: Sonoma
Alcohol: 13.8%
Variety: Pinot Noir
Wine Type: Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Issue Date: 10/1/2020
From a selection of Calera grapes grown on the extreme coast, this wine offers spice, wax and edgy acidity. Pomegranate, tangerine, cherry and mint flavors follow along a structured, complex and lengthy palate of balanced tannin and oak, finishing in lasting earthiness.
Reviewed By: Virginie Boone

Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Fort Ross-Seaview Fort Ross Vineyard Stagecoach Road 2017
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Country: United States
Region: California
Vintage: 2017
Score: 93
This has impressive aromas of ripe and rich dark cherries, swathed in sweetly fragrant baking spices and some earthy complexity, too. The palate has a sturdy, regal style of tannin that carries a smooth and ripe array of juicy dark-cherry flavor. Drink of hold.

2017 Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery Stagecoach Road Pinot Noir
Region: Fort Ross-Seaview
Rating: 93
Price: $80
Spice driven nose with notes of black raspberry, red plum and a hint of forest floor. Big and chewy on the attack with robust dark red fruit flavors complemented by tobacco and spice notes. An especially rich wine with outstanding depth on the palate and with terrific juicy persistence and gripping tannins. Sourced from the estate vineyard blocks closest to the ocean with deep dark soils, handpicked, hand sorted, cold soaked, fermented in stainless tanks, and matured 10 months in 50% new French oak. 13.8% alc. saltiness and minerals here also.

2017 Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery Pinot Noir Stagecoach Road
Producer: Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery
Location: USA, California, North Coast, Sonoma County, Fort Ross-Seaview
Color: Red
Price: $80
Rating: 92
Tasting Date: 5/21/2020
Maturity: 2020 - 2028
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Source: Sonoma: Another Brilliant Vintage in 2018
Another classic example of the vintage, the 2017 Pinot Noir Stagecoach Road has loads of spiced red and black fruits, bouquet garni, toasted nuts, and a touch of seaside-like salinity to go with a medium-bodied, round, elegant style on the palate. With ripe tannins, good overall balance, and a great finish, it should be impressive for 7-8 years.

Fort Ross Vineyard 2017 Fort Ross-Seaview Stagecoach Road Pinot Noir
Price: $80
Rating: 91
Jeff Pisoni makes this wine from a collection of parcels closest to the Pacific at Lester and Linda Schwartz’s Fort Ross Vineyard. It’s light and lithe with cherry and spiced-plum flavors, lasting with peppery warmth. The mineral scent and sweet fruit create a vibrant contrast. - J.G.
(04/21)