I have reviewed Furthermore Pinot Noir wines annually since the 2008 vintage. Some vineyard
sources have been the same since 2008 (Rosella’s, La Encantada), while other vineyard sources
have been added or sourced intermittently along the way. The vineyards are all premium sites with
outstanding farming and stretch from the Sta. Rita Hills in the southern coast of California, to the
Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County, and to the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast in
northern California. Directing farming and harvesting has to be a challenge with such a diverse palate
of vineyards.
2017 Furthermore La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 120 cases, $55.
Vineyard planted in 1998 by Richard Sanford. Dijon clones 115, 667, 777. Certified organic.
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Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Toasty oak overshadows the fruit aromas of ripest
strawberry and black cherry. A husky, well-ripened core of blackberry and black raspberry fruit that
displays proper acidity and noble tannins to balance the fruit load. Charming, with some length to the
finish. My only nit is that the wine displays more oak overlay than I prefer. Unchanged when tasted
the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, still showing a noticeable oak
imprint.
Score: 90
2017 Furthermore Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 120 cases,
$55. Pommard 4 and Pisoni selection.
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Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Highly aromatic,
displaying scents of dark cherry, dark raspberry, blueberry-pomegranate, cola and spice. I thought I
detected a very slight hint of Brett (sweaty horse) that was not off-putting. Mid-weight plus in
concentration, offering super-ripe, luscious and sweet array of black stone and black berry fruits.
There are hints of brown sugar and cocoa as well. Silky textured with buried tannins make for smooth
going. Over time in the glass, the wine is less appealing as mostly a slug of fruit. Unchanged when
tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 90
2017 Furthermore Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 195 cases,
$60. Clones 115 and faux 828.
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Moderate garnet color in the glass. Reserved aromas of black cherry
and cigar box. A hedonistic wine packed with layers of over ripe fruit tastes of blackberry, cassis and
prune. As big as Pinot Noir gets with a level of fruit ripeness that blocks out the usual red-fruited
elegance of this vineyard. The wine finishes with a sense of alcoholic heat.
Score: 89
2017 Furthermore Gap’s Crown Vineyard Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 290 cases, $60. Clones 667
and faux 828.
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Moderately dark garnet color in the glass.
Pleasant array of black stone fruit and dark berry aromas
that really rise up over time in the glass. There are scents
of rose petal and warm brioche as well. A deluge of black
cherry and black raspberry fruit envelopes the palate and
seems to linger for over 30 seconds on the finish. The
fruit has a brightness with a citric edge particularly
notable on the finish. Gap’s Crown always delivers.
Score: 93
2017 Furthermore Gioia Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 150 cases, $60. Clone
113 and Pommard.
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Moderate garnet color in the glass. The aromas of black cherry, spice cake and
earthy flora unfold over time in the glass. Delicious flavors of black cherry, dark raspberry and dark
strawberry backed by suede tannins and the slightest toasty oak. Silken in texture with good harmony
and some persistence at the end. About the same when tasted the following day from a previously
opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 93
2017 Furthermore Starbridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., 150 cases, $60.
Vineyard adjacent Summa Vineyard and vines were established by cuttings from Summa Vineyard.
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Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, blueberry, black tea bag and seasoned oak. A
hint of bruised apple (acetaldehyde) only present briefly upon opening. Mid-weight in style, with a core
of citrus-toned red fruits framed by very modest tannins. The wine’s acid is at the forefront showing a
prominent citrus imprint on the mid-palate as well as a tart, citric finish.
Score: 88
2017 Furthermore Nevina’s Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 120 cases, $75.
Estate vineyard situated at 1,300 feet elevation. 777 and 667 clones.
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Moderately dark garnet color in
the glass. Aromas of boysenberry, blackberry and black currant. The palate is greeted with a soothing
flood of very ripe purple and dark berry fruit flavors. A big-fruited wine yet shows matching ripe tannins
and well-integrated oak. Not as bombastic as other wines in the 2017 lineup, offering a more refined
character.
Score: 93
2017 Furthermore Gloria Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc.,
192 cases, $55. Calera, Swan and 115 clones.
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Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Perfumed
with scents of black cherry, tobacco oak and tilled earth. Mid-weight plus in style, offering flavors of
herb-dusted cherry and green herbs. A bright arrow of acidity pervades the wine creating a sweet and
sour finish. The wine leans too much on oak and finishes only modestly.
Score: 89
2017 Furthermore Graton Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 243
cases, $55. Dijon clones planted in 2003.
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Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Really nicely
perfumed with aromas of ripe Bing cherry, olallieberry pie, and black grape. Discreetly concentrated
and suave in the mouth, with a core of dark cherry and black raisin flavors with added notes of black
tea, dark chocolate and cassis. Smoky oak plies the background.
Score: 90
2017 Furthermore Alchemy Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 169 cases, $85. A cuvée
of Furthermore vineyard sources.
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Dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black raspberry, worn
leather, prune, brown butter and medicine cabinet. Mid-weight plus in style, with a core of very ripe
black cherry and blackberry fruits accented with spice. A literal fruit bomb with proportional tannins, a
compliment of oak and some length and generosity on the finish.
Score: 90
