2019 Michel-Schlumberger “Le Fou” Pinot Noir, Dry Creek Valley
Sensory Notes
Color: Classic Pinot Noir ruby
Aromas: Rich aromas of blueberry and raspberry, with notes of cherry and vanilla
Palate: Concentrated berry flavors, lush mouthfeel, and long fruit finish
The Vineyard
A unique selection of clones, rootstocks, and benchland and mountain top soils make up Michel-Schlumberger’s seven tiny blocks of Pinot Noir. The flavors are concentrated, elegant, layered, and well-structured.
Specs
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Harvest: September 18th, 2019, Average brix: 25.8, pH: 3.46
TA: 0.67 g/100ml
Fermentation: The grapes were crushed into small fermenters. After cold-soaking for three days to extract rich color, the must fermented on the skins for three weeks to obtain a richly extracted wine.
Cooperage / Aging: The wine was aged for 12 months in tight-grained French oak barrels (20% new).
Bottling Date: November 16, 2020
Cases Produced: 622
Final Technical Info:
pH: 3.54
TA: 0.56 g/100ml
Alcohol: 14.9%
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2019 Michel-Schlumberger “Le Fou” Pinot Noir, Dry Creek Valley Case:
12x 2019 Michel-Schlumberger “Le Fou” Pinot Noir, Dry Creek Valley
Michel-Schlumberger’s first vines were planted in 1979 by Jean-Jacques Michel, a native of Switzerland. Michel traveled extensively across Northern California in search of the perfect location to establish his winery. He quickly recognized the potential of the Dry Creek Valley climate and soils to produce premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Blanc grapes, and saw the contoured exposures of Wine Creek Canyon, in particular, as ideal for creating unique flavors, especially in red wines.
In 1991, Jacques Pierre Schlumberger joined the winery team, bringing with him a legacy of over 400 years of winemaking in Alsace, France.
It was at this point that the Michel-Schlumberger brand was born. Over the years, the winery’s exceptional wines and the beauty of its estate have garnered global attention and acclaim. The mission-style architecture of the estate reflects Michel-Schlumberger’s European roots while honoring the influence of early Spanish settlers in California. Today, the winery’s white stucco walls, terracotta-tiled roof, bell tower, and grand courtyard create a spectacular setting for a day in Sonoma’s wine country.
Our Estate heritage is also reflected in the guest experience, which includes motorized tours through the vineyards, walking cellar tours through the production area, barrel tastings, and seated reserve tastings of our award-winning, small-production wines.
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
You must really like me, you made me a Pinot Noir Lab Rat again!
This time once again caught me out of town, visiting friends in San Francisco, but the crack Casemates crew got the wine to me here in plenty of time for a Sunday night review.
After schlepping the UPS package back up to my friends’ 3rd floor Edwardian pad, I was delighted to see the Michel-Schlumberger emerge from the packaging. We opted to taste it together on Saturday evening along with a dinner that featured a batch of frijoles charros** that were already planned.
Popping the cork before dinner for a first try revealed a bright aroma of cherries and strawberries, then tasting black cherries to back that up along with a tart chewiness of cranberries bringing some soft tannins. It totally stood up to the spicy frijoles, and likely will to anything you are grilling this summer.
As the evening progressed into a death match of Rummikub, the black cherry evolved into a more straight up cherry flavor, but not too Bing-y.
I’d call this a drink now and there’s nothing wrong with that, but there was certainly enough acidity if you have that kind of restraint. I don’t!
My Pinot stores have become severely depleted of late and I expect I’ll be pulling the trigger momentarily. Especially at that price. Holy *%#&@!
** Render a ton of bacon, chorizo, onion, jalapeño, garlic. Add tomato, cooked/canned pintos, and stock. Simmer one hour. Scarf.
2019 Michel-Schlumberger “Le Fou” Pinot Noir, Dry Creek Valley
Sensory Notes
The Vineyard
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$540/Case for 12x 2019 Michel-Schlumberger “Le Fou” Pinot Noir, Dry Creek Valley at Michel-Schlumberger
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jun 15 - Tuesday, Jun 16
2019 Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Noir
4 bottles for $69.99 17.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $114.99 $9.58/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Previous offer:
9/6/25
You must really like me, you made me a Pinot Noir Lab Rat again!
This time once again caught me out of town, visiting friends in San Francisco, but the crack Casemates crew got the wine to me here in plenty of time for a Sunday night review.
After schlepping the UPS package back up to my friends’ 3rd floor Edwardian pad, I was delighted to see the Michel-Schlumberger emerge from the packaging. We opted to taste it together on Saturday evening along with a dinner that featured a batch of frijoles charros** that were already planned.
Popping the cork before dinner for a first try revealed a bright aroma of cherries and strawberries, then tasting black cherries to back that up along with a tart chewiness of cranberries bringing some soft tannins. It totally stood up to the spicy frijoles, and likely will to anything you are grilling this summer.
As the evening progressed into a death match of Rummikub, the black cherry evolved into a more straight up cherry flavor, but not too Bing-y.
I’d call this a drink now and there’s nothing wrong with that, but there was certainly enough acidity if you have that kind of restraint. I don’t!
My Pinot stores have become severely depleted of late and I expect I’ll be pulling the trigger momentarily. Especially at that price. Holy *%#&@!
** Render a ton of bacon, chorizo, onion, jalapeño, garlic. Add tomato, cooked/canned pintos, and stock. Simmer one hour. Scarf.
I mean, how can I resist when eljefetwisted includes a recipe in the Rattage? In for a case.
/giphy crumby-passing-spark
