St. Rose Vineyard and Winery

Owner(s) Fred Nunes, Wendy Nunes
Web site www.nunesvineyard.com/saintrosewinery/
 
Link to this site
Nunes Vineyard in the Russian River Valley was planted in 1997 when Fred Nunes retired from a 30-year career as a firefighting helicopter pilot. The 43 acres for Nunes Vineyard came to Fred from his grandfather, Fred Muzio, who bought the land in the 1950s to farm hay and raise pigs and as a weekend getaway for his family. Nunes vineyard fruit is sourced by Papapietro Perry, Matrix, Zepaltas, Meiomi and St. Rose, a very small production label by Fred Nunes.

Reviewed Wines

2012 St. Rose Nunes Vineyard Ten Block Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.67, 98 cases, $38. Sampled from all ten blocks of the vineyard. 35% 115, 40% 777, 10% 667, 15% 114. Aged 12 months in 1 and 2-year-old Francois Frères oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of oak-infused cherry syrup, peppery spice and forest floor. Appealing mid weight core of spicy Bing cherry with an oak overlay and modest tannins. Some finishing power with a tart cherry theme. Tasted twice. Score: 87-88. Reviewed November 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2011 St. Rose Nunes Vineyard Ten Block Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.68, 72 cases, $38. Clones 115, 777, 667 and 114. Favorite three of ten barrels. Aged 12 months in new, 1-year and 2-year-old Francois Frères oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddishpurple color in the glass. Very shy and never really opens fully in the glass offering demure aromas of dark red cherries and berries. Smooth on the palate with an appealing crispness, offering a tasty core of cherry, cola and spice flavors with complimentary oak in the background. I would give this wine more time in the bottle to allow the aromas to arrive. Good (+). Reviewed May 5, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 St. Rose Nunes Vineyard 777 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.68, 54 cases, $44. The Nunes Vineyard is owned and farmed by Fred and Wendy Nunes. 100% clone 777. Harvest Brix 23.0º. Aged 12 months in new, 1-year and 2-year-old Francois Frères oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Light reddish-purple color in the glass. Delicate aromas of dark red cherries, spice, oak-driven tobacco and herb notes with a rose petal perfume appearing over time in the glass. Light weight cherry core with slight oak in the background, finishing with a charge of cherry flavor. Bright acidity and mild tannins make for refreshing drinking. Atypical for clone 777 which usually produces very dark fruit with good density. This delicate wine seems to fall short of full ripeness as it veers more to the red fruit spectrum. Good. Reviewed May 5, 2013 ARTICLE »

2009 St. Rose Nunes Vineyard Ten Block Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., ph 3.60, TA 0.61, 91 cases, $38. Clones 115, 777, 667 and 114. Aged 14 months in 50% new Francois Frères French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of blackberries, black raspberries with notes of underbrush and barrel spice, drifting over time in the glass to very ripe aromas of prune and black currant. Fairly opulent with plenty of sweet, sappy dark red and black fruit, particularly black cherry. Sidecar of cola, clove and raisin. Very smooth mouth feel with bright acidity on the short finish. The appeal is weighed down by the fruit ripeness. Good. Reviewed January 11, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 St. Rose Nunes Vineyard 777 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.61, 94 cases, $40. Special barrels of clone 777 were unique and it was decided not to blend them. Aged 14 months in 50% new Francois Frères French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Demure aromas of black cherry and raspberry fruits with subtle hints of underbrush, sage and sandalwood. Tasty core of raspberry, cherry and cranberry fruit leaving an impression on the mid palate and clinging to the long flowery finish with a vengeance. Medium weighted with admirable elegance, well-concealed tannins, and a welcoming spark of acidity adding crispness to the fruit. I am usually not a fan of single clone Pinot Noir but this wine is special. Very good (+). Reviewed January 11, 2012 ARTICLE »

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