Bold, fruit-forward Californian Pinot Noir from a renowned Sonoma estate
From Burgundy-born Jean-Charles Boisset's lauded Sonoma estate, DeLoach Vineyards, this silky, ripe Pinot Noir is the perfect marriage of California ripeness and French restraint.
In the 1100s, King Louis VII began to use a fleur de lys (a stylized, three-petal lily) to symbolize French heritage and ceremony. Today, you can find the same mark on Fleur de Lys Pinot Noir, an expressive, red-fruited pour from Burgundy-born Jean-Charles Boisset and his Sonoma estate, DeLoach Vineyards.
\n
The winery’s founders—Cecil and Christine DeLoach—adopted the symbol in 1975 as a nod to their Huguenot lineage and their trio of varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. It was a perfect emblem for Jean-Charles, who purchased their estate in 2003 and brought his French sensibilities to the already impressive operation.
\n
Doubling down on the property’s sustainability efforts, he elevated its reputation to record heights and helped make Pinot Noir the most prized wine of the range. Today, DeLoach winemaker Katie Carter crafts several unique expressions of the grape, but this one is our favourite for its outstanding quality-to-price ratio.
\n
Opening with expressive red fruit and rose petal aromas, its palate offers layers of cranberry and pomegranate framed by soft tannins. A final touch of vanilla adds depth through the elegant finish.
