OntarioWineReview.com

WineBook

Categories » Red Wine

Recently added -Most viewed -Rated the best

Flat Rock Cellars 2004 Pinot Noir Clone Research
Rating

Hits:	250
Rating:	Nº votes
Date added;:	13.Oct.2007
Author :	Michael Pinkus - Grape Guy

Description Pinot Noir is one of the most interesting grapes in the world because, it is constantly mutating, hence the Pinot Noir vines we see today will be different in 10 years, changing and adapting to their environment, and in another 10 years different again. Here’s the explanation as taken from the Flat Rock literature: “[a clone] is essentially a spontaneous mutation of a “parent” vine that has been propagated over time. Due to the fact that Pinot Noir is genetically unstable, there are possibly thousands of different clones of Pinot Noir in the world.” What Flat Rock Cellars has done is take the current batch of “Dijon clones” they have (115, 667, 777) and made clone specific wines from them. Usually, wineries will have a variety of different clones of a particular grape and they will blend them into the final wine to get the taste they are looking for.Now Flat Rock is giving you the chance to try 3 different clones of Pinot Noir and determine your favourite. Three of us sat down in the OntarioWineReview Lab to try all three side-by-each to give our thoughts and opinions:115 … A nose of smoke, oak, clove, cedar, earth and dried fruit. On the palate we found raspberry, clove, sage, spice and some earthy notes. Final analysis and comments: nice, pleasant, low tannin, short to medium finish. A nice light tasting wine. Average score: 6.83 (out of 10).667 … Fresher smells then the 115, raspberry, strawberry, sour black cherry and lots of ripe red fruit on the nose. The palate showed signs of vanilla, sweet red cherries, and mild earthiness. Final analysis and comments: great nose, pleasant aftertaste. Softer and more fruity than the 115. Medium long with an elegant finish. Average score: 7.66 (out of 10).777 … Pleasant smell of mint and earth, along with some great red berry fruit. The mint followed through in the taste, along with milk chocolate, oak and raspberry. Final analysis and comments: no one knew where the hint-of-mint or the chocolate came from, but it was present on everyone’s score card. The tannins weren’t too overpowering and it was an easy drinking and pleasant tasting Pinot with some perceived sweetness (though still a zero). Average score: 7.66 (out of 10).What did we learn? Well, first of all, and this came as quite a revelation; everybody has different tastes (shocking huh?). Turned out that each bottle had its’ fan (3 bottles – 3 people, and each person picked a different one as their favourite). Secondly, as you can see, there were definite, unmistakable differences between the clones.

Notes Available separately or in the Research pack

Varietal / Grape Pinot Noir (3 different clones)

Region Niagara

Winery Flat Rock Cellars

Year 2004

WineBook by Detodas