2017 Piedra Creek Pinot Noir, San Floriano Vineyard, Edna Valley
Tasting Notes
This Estate Pinot Noir is limited production and made in the Burgundian style. The resulting wine is elegant, with notes of wild strawberry, Bing cherries, and stone fruits supported by soft velvety tannins. Vibrant acidity, traces of light vanilla toast, and subtle hints of cherry blossom round out the lasting finish.
Winemaking
The San Floriano vineyard was planted in 1999. It is a meticulously worked and cared-for vineyard, where quality is the priority. The combination of the climate, soil, and location have made it a paradise for the vine. Situated in one of the coolest parts of the Edna Valley AVA, this vineyard has become a great terroir for the varieties that were planted: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Lagrein.
Vineyard Designated, limited production, Estate wine
Two-acre vineyard, sustainably farmed
Made in the Burgundian style, this is an elegant, fruit-forward, and balanced wine that captures the essence of the Pinot Noir grape.
Piedra Creek Winery was conceived atop a small knoll in the heart of the MacGregor Vineyard overlooking the beautiful Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, California. In 1984 Piedra Creek Winery became the smallest bonded winery in the Edna Valley, if not the state of California, originally producing only a couple hundred cases of estate sourced Chardonnay. The ultra-small batch wines quickly gained notoriety. The grapes used would not come from a selected vineyard, nor from blocks within vineyards, but rather from only the best sections of the 55 acre Chardonnay vineyard. The result: only the best fruit would be used to make the finest wines possible.
Owners Romeo “Meo” Zuech and his wife Margaret are legends for introducing grape varieties from the Alto Adige, Italy region to San Luis Obispo County and Edna Valley. Together they planted Gewürztraminer, Lagrein, Dornfelder, Marzamino, and Teroldego. Margaret and Meo were the first to bring the Lagrein grape to the United States from Meo’s homeland in Bolzano, Italy. Meo will also be remembered for his legacy in the aerospace industry. He was a specialist in metallurgy and developed six metal alloys used in building multiple NASA space vehicles in the early 1970s and 1980s. The alloys he developed were used in the Apollo 11 Mission and moon landing, and played a key factor in returning the space shuttle back to earth.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, 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
Waiting for the rattage on this vintage, but really liked the 2016 vintage purchased in March 2021. Expect to be in for the 2017. The hits keep coming!
Ah, the elusive Pinot Noir. Like a fickle lover, this wine is known for its unpredictable temperament and delicate nuances. As you take a sip of the Piedra Creek 2017, be prepared for a rollercoaster of flavors that will leave you guessing until the very end, much like this write-up…
At first, my partner and I were greeted with the color of light cranberry and a bouquet of aromas that made my nose feel like it was on a first-class flight to France. I smelled notes of sour cherries, earthy mushrooms, and maybe even a hint of leather or smoke (no judgment here). My TasteMate™ said it smelled like pickles. Ugh.
But as I took my first sip, the fun really began. I tasted flavors that ranged from sweet raspberries to tart cranberries, with a touch of strawberry and a dash of, dare I say, herbaceousness? thrown in for good measure. The fruitiness from the nose was still there, but it was balanced out by a subtle acidity and maybe even a hint of smokiness. It was like a flavor party in my mouth, and everyone was invited.
But be warned, this wine seems like it can be a bit of a diva. For my taste, it liked to be served at just the right temperature (58 degrees), and paired with the perfect meal (preferably something French and fancy, I went with coq au vin). I would say that the food didn’t bring out much in the wine or vice-versa. But, I like being fancy, and I regret nothing.
So, all-in-all, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance wine, this Pinot Noir might not be your type. Though I did enjoy this wine, my partner didn’t. She commented “This wine left me with a slightly bitter aftertaste that’s kind of like chewing on a grape seed. And pickles. Make sure that goes in there . It’s not terrible, but not exactly something I’ll be raving about to my friends.”
Overall, this Pinot Noir is like that really good friend who’s always down to hang out, but you never really remember what you did together. It’s not going to rock your world, but it’s not going to ruin your night either. I’d say that it’s versatile, if you’re looking for a wine that’s perfect for a mid-week sipper or paired with a fancy French chicken dish, this Pinot Noir might be just what you’re looking for. And at this price point, it’s practically a steal - I mean, you could spend twice as much on a bottle of wine, or you could buy two bottles of this and have twice the fun. Cheers to that! Also, big cheers to Alice and WineDavid, always a pleasure to rat some wine!
I pulled the never expected but always appreciated golden ticket to sample Piedra Creek Vineyards 2017 Edna Valley Pinot Noir. This weekend is one filled with a trillion to-dos, so I’m going to attempt to keep these notes relatively brief…
POPnPOUR: light cherry, maybe another stone fruit on the nose. Second sniff is ripe strawberry and maybe a hint of blackberry. This wine pours a beautiful red, ruby color. From the start of the bottle, it’s smooth. Here’s a wine that’s ready to drink now. No alcohol on the nose, so we’ll let it rest in the bottle rather than decant.
30 min later: strawberry on the nose and tongue. Each sip is bringing out a bit of limestone with a lingering taste of vanilla. Solid mouthfeel, with a bit of funk at the end of the glass—maybe a hint of earthiness. This reminds me to mention that upon pulling the cork, there were a few tartrate wine diamonds, but no other sediment is present.
60 min into the bottle: that cherry is back with blackberry in full form. Still a smooth feel and lingering mineral taste. I noted that my room temperature is 76 Fahrenheit, so I’m drinking it a fair bit warmer than the ideal temperature. This wine is holding its own again early Midwest summer.
Taking a longer break and coming back 2 hours 30 minutes after the initial pour: not much new here. A hint of leather on the nose? Flavors have mellowed together and the wine is distinctively dry on the tongue. Still no other sediment to be found, so I may as well search the bottom of the bottle, right?
Overall takeaways:
This is a solid everyday drinker, and ready to drink now. No need to cellar these bottles. Softer tannins and decent structure make it an enjoyable glass, especially with the color. Trying to crystal ball the price, I put this as a steal/great bargain @ $12/bottle, spot on for the case price of this offer. As @mattykillpatty mentioned, this is not going to rock your world or ruin your night. It paired just fine with a last-minute frozen pizza when I realized it was almost one in the morning and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
For past Piedra Creek Enda Valley options, check out the conversations here, here & here.
Many, many thanks to Casemates, Alice, WD and Piedra Creek for the opportunity to sample. If you’re around the Gateway City, I could take a four bottle split.
OK, I’m in for 12: nasal-magnificent-motion. Rattage was inconclusive but suggests a decent daily drinker. And I had a good experience with the prior vintage. And it’s only 12.50/bottle aged six years. So I’m in.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2017 Piedra Creek Edna Valley Pinot Noir - $45 = 23.06%
Post-Delivery Comment: I bought the 2016 vintage of this wine and liked it, so was eager to try the 2017. In general, I’m less impressed with the 2017 than the 2016, but agree it’s a decent wine for weekday dinners. My main complaint is some sulfur on the nose upon opening. This dissipates with time as the wine breathes. I think decanting this wine and letting it breathe for two hours will improve it greatly.
2017 Piedra Creek Pinot Noir, San Floriano Vineyard, Edna Valley
Tasting Notes
Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$480.00/Case for 12x 2017 Piedra Creek Pinot Noir, San Floriano Vineyard, Edna Valley at Piedra Creek Winery
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, 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, May 8 - Wednesday, May 10
2017 Piedra Creek Edna Valley Pinot Noir
4 bottles for $64.99 $16.25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $149.99 $12.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Waiting for the rattage on this vintage, but really liked the 2016 vintage purchased in March 2021. Expect to be in for the 2017. The hits keep coming!
Ah, the elusive Pinot Noir. Like a fickle lover, this wine is known for its unpredictable temperament and delicate nuances. As you take a sip of the Piedra Creek 2017, be prepared for a rollercoaster of flavors that will leave you guessing until the very end, much like this write-up…
At first, my partner and I were greeted with the color of light cranberry and a bouquet of aromas that made my nose feel like it was on a first-class flight to France. I smelled notes of sour cherries, earthy mushrooms, and maybe even a hint of leather or smoke (no judgment here). My TasteMate™ said it smelled like pickles. Ugh.
But as I took my first sip, the fun really began. I tasted flavors that ranged from sweet raspberries to tart cranberries, with a touch of strawberry and a dash of, dare I say, herbaceousness? thrown in for good measure. The fruitiness from the nose was still there, but it was balanced out by a subtle acidity and maybe even a hint of smokiness. It was like a flavor party in my mouth, and everyone was invited.
But be warned, this wine seems like it can be a bit of a diva. For my taste, it liked to be served at just the right temperature (58 degrees), and paired with the perfect meal (preferably something French and fancy, I went with coq au vin). I would say that the food didn’t bring out much in the wine or vice-versa. But, I like being fancy, and I regret nothing.
So, all-in-all, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance wine, this Pinot Noir might not be your type. Though I did enjoy this wine, my partner didn’t. She commented “This wine left me with a slightly bitter aftertaste that’s kind of like chewing on a grape seed. And pickles. Make sure that goes in there
Overall, this Pinot Noir is like that really good friend who’s always down to hang out, but you never really remember what you did together. It’s not going to rock your world, but it’s not going to ruin your night either. I’d say that it’s versatile, if you’re looking for a wine that’s perfect for a mid-week sipper or paired with a fancy French chicken dish, this Pinot Noir might be just what you’re looking for. And at this price point, it’s practically a steal - I mean, you could spend twice as much on a bottle of wine, or you could buy two bottles of this and have twice the fun. Cheers to that! Also, big cheers to Alice and WineDavid, always a pleasure to rat some wine!
@mattykillpatty Sweet or Dill Pickles?
@Boatman72
Ha! Dill for sure, as there’s no way she would tolerate sweet!
Hello Casemates Crew,
I pulled the never expected but always appreciated golden ticket to sample Piedra Creek Vineyards 2017 Edna Valley Pinot Noir. This weekend is one filled with a trillion to-dos, so I’m going to attempt to keep these notes relatively brief…
POPnPOUR: light cherry, maybe another stone fruit on the nose. Second sniff is ripe strawberry and maybe a hint of blackberry. This wine pours a beautiful red, ruby color. From the start of the bottle, it’s smooth. Here’s a wine that’s ready to drink now. No alcohol on the nose, so we’ll let it rest in the bottle rather than decant.
30 min later: strawberry on the nose and tongue. Each sip is bringing out a bit of limestone with a lingering taste of vanilla. Solid mouthfeel, with a bit of funk at the end of the glass—maybe a hint of earthiness. This reminds me to mention that upon pulling the cork, there were a few tartrate wine diamonds, but no other sediment is present.
60 min into the bottle: that cherry is back with blackberry in full form. Still a smooth feel and lingering mineral taste. I noted that my room temperature is 76 Fahrenheit, so I’m drinking it a fair bit warmer than the ideal temperature. This wine is holding its own again early Midwest summer.
Taking a longer break and coming back 2 hours 30 minutes after the initial pour: not much new here. A hint of leather on the nose? Flavors have mellowed together and the wine is distinctively dry on the tongue. Still no other sediment to be found, so I may as well search the bottom of the bottle, right?
Overall takeaways:
This is a solid everyday drinker, and ready to drink now. No need to cellar these bottles. Softer tannins and decent structure make it an enjoyable glass, especially with the color. Trying to crystal ball the price, I put this as a steal/great bargain @ $12/bottle, spot on for the case price of this offer. As @mattykillpatty mentioned, this is not going to rock your world or ruin your night. It paired just fine with a last-minute frozen pizza when I realized it was almost one in the morning and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
For past Piedra Creek Enda Valley options, check out the conversations here, here & here.
Many, many thanks to Casemates, Alice, WD and Piedra Creek for the opportunity to sample. If you’re around the Gateway City, I could take a four bottle split.
Cheers!
OK, I’m in for 12: nasal-magnificent-motion. Rattage was inconclusive but suggests a decent daily drinker. And I had a good experience with the prior vintage. And it’s only 12.50/bottle aged six years. So I’m in.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2017 Piedra Creek Edna Valley Pinot Noir - $45 = 23.06%
Post-Delivery Comment: I bought the 2016 vintage of this wine and liked it, so was eager to try the 2017. In general, I’m less impressed with the 2017 than the 2016, but agree it’s a decent wine for weekday dinners. My main complaint is some sulfur on the nose upon opening. This dissipates with time as the wine breathes. I think decanting this wine and letting it breathe for two hours will improve it greatly.
Update: I was right. Two hours of air did wonders for this wine. I don’t plan to serve this to company but will drink, and enjoy, my case.