2008 Freestone Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

90 Pts (IWC)-  Good bright dark red. Black raspberry, cherry, cola, pepper and flowers on the nose. Creamy and ripe on entry, then firmer in the middle, with lovely perfume and energy, to the flavors of raspberry, cranberry, rose petal, brown spices and minerals. Juicy but substantial pinot noir, finishes with piquant pepper and herb notes from vinification with a portion of the stems. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2011

 90 Pts (WE) So brisk in acidity, you can taste the ocean winds that chill this coastal vineyard at night. It's also extraordinarily ripe. Few Pinot Noirs get this fruity. Floods the mouth with the essence of raspberries and cherries. The acidity and a firm minerality give it much needed structure.  Steve Heimoff  Wine Enthusiast September 2011

4 Stars (DC) Cool black cherry and plum flavors are framed by brisk acidity and a hint of minerality. ...this generous, focused wine represents Joseph Phelps Vineyards' Pinot efforts admirably. Linda Murphy Decanter Magazine September 2011