2022 Fogstone Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Tasting Notes
“Deep red color. The nose offers a unique blend of roasted strawberries, cherry, jasmine, orange zest, cola and anise. These qualities stay consistent on the palate and are met by plush texture and a finish that offers brilliance, precision, and youth. Enjoy now through 2033.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
August 2024
“A dramatic and deep pinot laden with dark fruit on a rich, mouth-coating texture. Aromas of macerated dark cherries, violets and forest floor, then brilliant black cherries, rhubarb, black tea and star anise on the palate. Full-bodied but well balanced and structured for further aging. Drink now or hold.” JamesSuckling.com, August 2024
“The 2022 Pinot Noir Fogstone Vineyard is energetic and super-complex. Following a replant cycle with tighter row spacing, there’s now some young-vine fruit in the blend, which translates into the Fogstone’s fruit-forwardness. Succulent black raspberry, clove and red licorice emerge, wrapped in an embrace of fine, chalky tannins. The site signature here is strong.” Billy Norris, Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, August 2024
Production Data
Growers: Carol & Bret Sisney and Gary Filizetti
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 250 – 400 feet; East
Soil: Rocky, well-draining loam soils
Vineyard Age: 28 years
Viticulture Practice: Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW)
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in stainless steel
Cooperage & Ageing: 19 months in French oak, 60% new
Production: 30 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 3.7 pH, 6.58 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Harvest: September 15, 2022, hand harvested
Club Release: September 2024
Release Price: $76
Drink Now through 2033
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Fogstone Vineyard is one of the more ethereal, lifted wines in this range, although its understated depth does begin to emerge with aeration. Crushed flowers, spice, new leather, tobacco and mocha all meld nicely, framed by bright acids and silky tannins that wrap it all together. This soft, classy Pinot is a real charmer.”
Antonio Galloni
Vinous
November 2023
“Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2021 Fogstone Vineyard Pinot Noir features notes of fresh raspberries, wild strawberries, and wild thyme followed by hints of lilacs and wet pebbles. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly played, with soft-spoken fruit and savory nuances framed by silky tannins, finishing on an earthy note.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW
The Wine Independent
February 2024
“Rich depth of color, spiced cherry nose, juicy with ripe cherry fruit and a long smooth finish.”
Anthony Dias Blue
August 2021
“Brilliant red. Fresh, spice-accented red berries, blood orange, succulent herb and candied rose on the highly fragrant nose. Juicy and lithe on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry and cherry-cola flavors that deepened through the back half. The floral and blood orange notes recur on a very long, penetrating finish that’s framed by smooth, even tannins. 52% new French oak. ”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
May 2022
“Muddled plum, loamy earth, toasted wood and light cola aromas converge on the nose of this bottling. It’s clean and down the middle of Pinot Noir expressions on the palate, showing roasted cherry, mesquite, salt-and-pepper seasonings and a pinch of herbs.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
February 2022
“Limpid ruby. Spice-accented red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities on the perfumed nose, along with subtle vanilla and cola flourishes. A spine of juicy acidity braces sappy, oak-spiced raspberry, cherry and boysenberry flavors, which flesh out with air while maintaining liveliness. The floral note comes back strong on a gently tannic, penetrating finish that shows sharp clarity and spice-driven persistence. 56% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
October 2020
“Brilliant red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes red fruit preserves, incense and Asian spices, accompanied by a building, smoky mineral topnote. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering alluringly sweet raspberry, cherry pie, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that show excellent depth as well as energy and tension. Delivers a suave blend of power and delicacy and finishes with smooth tannins, sharp delineation and emphatic, floral-driven persistence. “
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
November 2019
“This is one of the winery’s monopole properties, and Winemaker Bill Brosseau handles the fruit with extra care. Aromas of black cherry, boysenberry, vanilla and roasted game are ripe yet precise, while the palate’s dark-cherry tone is lifted by minty herbs and more savory qualities.”
Matt Kettman
Wine Enthusiast
November 2019
“The 2015 Pinot Noir Fogstone Vineyard was completely destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks before spending 11 months in 68% new French oak. It has a darker core, with lots of earthy currant fruits, wood smoke and licorice aromatics. It’s rich, nicely concentrated and structured on the palate, and is going to benefit from a year or two in bottle. ”
Jeb Dunnick
August 2017
“This single-vineyard-focused winery controls four specific vineyards as monopole bottlings. This is one, showing black cherry, vanilla bean, nutmeg and a stony slate component on the nose. There is a soft density to the sip, with cranberries, graphite flakes and a sandalwood touch to the palate.”
Wine Enthusiast
“Bright ruby. Heady red and dark berry and floral scents, with hints of incense and smoky oak spices. Sweet and broad on entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, offering juicy black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors that deepen and become spicier with aeration. Silky, fruit-driven and delicious now, with soft tannins making a late appearance on the long, spice-tinged finish.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni Vinous
August 2015
“A savory nose of seared beef crust gets lift from violet and lavender florals, and then the wine coats the palate very softly, with luscious flavors of stewed cherry, ripe cranberry and more herb-crusted roast. A licorice-aided acidity cleans the mouth on the finish.”
Wine Enthusiast
“Lush in ripe raspberries, cherries and cola, this single-vineyard Pinot Noir is balanced with crisp acidity. It’s flamboyant, with plenty of oak influence, yet somehow manages to finish dry and tight. Drink now–2019.”
Wine Enthusiast
The Fogstone Vineyard
Fogstone Vineyard is owned by Carol & Bret Sisney and Gary Filizetti and is one of the northernmost estates in the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is on an east facing slope that rises from 200 feet to 500 feet as you go up the bench. Originally planted in 1993 through 1997, Fogstone has thirty-five acres of Pinot Noir, utilizing seven different clones. It has thirty-six acres of Chardonnay consisting of 6 different clones.
All seventy-one acres of Fogstone Vineyard are designated for Testarossa, making it one of our few Monopole wines. The property’s close proximity to Monterey Bay makes for a very cool climate, with one of California’s longest growing seasons. The resulting slow, gentle ripening allows for full flavor development on the vine. Fogstone is one of Testarossa’s most innovative vineyard partners; Winemaker Bill Brosseau works very closely with the vineyard manager and directly oversees growing decisions.