Description
Joseph Jewell, “Phelps Vineyard” Pinot Noir
Most people associate California’s Humboldt County with an agricultural commodity that is much more lucrative than wine grapes. And there are, in fact, only about 150 acres of vines planted in all of Humboldt, a region that spans 4,000 square miles. We’ve had the pleasure of walking some of these rare vineyards, including the source vineyard for this wine, and all we can say is, look out. Humboldt has all the natural gifts of some of California’s most celebrated coastal growing zones, and if this wine had “Sonoma Coast” instead of “Humboldt County” on its label it would cost a lot more. Right now, wines like this are tiny-production rarities, but we’re left wondering if Humboldt may be the next frontier for great California Pinot Noir. This 2019 makes a very strong case!
Here’s how the Joseph Jewell team describes it: “Humboldt County sits at the southern edge of the Pacific Northwest, with substantial winter rainfall. The growing season is shorter than in Sonoma or Napa, and bud break is 2-3 weeks later. Harvest extends into October, which is why it is a fantastic place to grow Pinot Noir. The short days and cooler daytime temps in October enhance flavor development and slow sugar accumulation, which allows us to harvest at lower sugar levels with proper phenolic ripeness.”
Located in Humboldt County 45 minutes up a dirt road above the town of Briceland, Phelps Vineyard sits at 1,700 feet elevation, overlooking the Mattole and Eel River Valleys, just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. This six-acre vineyard was planted by Todd Phelps in the early 1990s to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. This is Joseph Jewell’s first vineyard-designate release from the site.
The nose of this ’19 erupts with rich soil character and an outpouring of juicy perfume: raspberry, red plum, wild strawberry, black cherry, tea leaf, orange peel, licorice, underbrush, fresh soil, baking spice, whole clove, river stones. It delivers wave after wave of intense red/black fruit character that falls seamlessly in line with an undercurrent of crushed minerals and spice. It’s medium-plus bodied, luxuriously textured, and undeniably elegant. Pair with Pacific Salmon, roast chicken, or a crown roast of pork.
