Van Duzer Flagpole Block Pinot noir 05
Van Duzer Flagpole Block Pinot noir 05 is made from a small block of grapes under the winery's flagpole.
In the glass, the deep and dark appearance should be admired long enough to permit the big styled complexity of its aromas to rise. The interplay of big dark blackberry, black cherry, toasty oak and the typical earthy character of the Waadenswil clone give way to floral notes of hibiscus, violet and hints of spice. -the winery
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June 2008
"Ruby-red. Deep, brooding aromas of cherry, plum and licorice. Broad and fleshy, offering concentrated dark fruit compote flavors, firm structure and a late note of espresso. With aggressive aeration a black raspberry note emerged. Winemake Jim Kakacek told me that he is dedicated to making wines for the long haul, and that this wine is a prime example of what he is after."
THE VINEYARDS
Lately it seems that each of Van Duzer’s Block Designates ages according to different physiological clocks. The wait has paid off for Flagpole Block, our Wädenswil-based original Block Designate Pinot Noir. It was worth the wait. A dry summer in 2005 produced especially rich, concentrated fruit in the steep, 1/3 acre Flagpole Block. Following two and one-half years in the cellar, the wine is “open for business.” - the winery
Previous Vintage tasting notes
2003 Tasting Notes
Previous vintage notes: Wine Spectator 90 points for 2003 vintage. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Made from older vine Pinot noir, all Wadenswil clone, and the wine clearly shows the characteristic blueberry note in both scent and flavor. A signature bouquet of ripe blueberries, cedar, fresh earth, cinnamon and cocoa is followed by flavors of blackberry pie & dried blueberries. All lead to a rich mid-palate and chocolate truffle finish.
"The enticing aromas feature spice, raisin and licorice. There is some prominent cranberry notes on the palate. Finely-tuned and well balanced, the wine is still a bit closed at this early stage." -PinotFile
A swirl of the glass suggests blackberry pie, followed moments later by a bouquet of fresh earthiness, cedar, cinnamon and clove, cocoa, fresh truffle and mushroom that is typical of the W?denswil vines planted in the Flagpole Block. On the palate, ripe blackberry and dried blueberry are accompanied by graham, spice and dark chocolate. The very ripe flavors assume weight in the mid-palate and finish with an impression of chocolate-raspberry truffle. - the winery
Introduced in 1999 as Van Duzer's first vineyard-designate wine, the Flagpole Block Pinot Noir is produced from an approximate one-third acre of old Wadwenswil clone vines located near the entrance to the property. The steep vineyard takes its name from the flagpole located at the top of the slope. The east-west row orientation combined with the slope allows for full sun exposure the entire day and the grapes from these vines produce exceptionally ripe and rich fruit.
The hand sorted grapes were destemmed and cold-macerated as is Van Duzer's general practice with Pinot Noir. The wine was aged in 60% new French oak barrels and 40% neutral oak barrels. Yje winery uses tightly-grained barrels from the Vosge and Allier forests in order to subtly enhance the fruit character of the wine. After 9 months in barrels, the wine was blended then returned to barrels for 5 more months of aging in order to integrate and deepen the flavors of the wine.
