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Thomas Fogarty Winery
Santa Cruz - Skyline
Tasted November 4, 2016 by csimm with 447 views
Introduction
Tasted at the winery, which is in a very beautiful location with views for miles. The staff was very nice throughout the tasting.
Unfortunately, that's about where the pleasantries ended. With the exception of two very nice Chardonnays, the remainder of the lineup was utterly disappointing. Thin, lifeless, and diluted, the wines exhibited little-to-no personalities; in some cases, the wines were almost undrinkable. As mentioned in my individual tasting notes, the "In the Pursuit of Balance" methodologies practiced in the winemaking showed to disastrous effect. I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is in its subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine?
Flight 1 (2 notes)
White
2011 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains
90 points
A nice and straightforward Chardonnay, with some lemon citrus, butter, and vanilla. Not over the top in its modern style and quite friendly on the approach and through the mid-palate. A bit simple, but a well-rounded white that satisfies for its easy-going deliverability.
Its simplicity was especially highlighted when tasted alongside the 2012 Damiana Chardonnay, which was far superior.
Its simplicity was especially highlighted when tasted alongside the 2012 Damiana Chardonnay, which was far superior.
White
2012 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay Damiana
93 points
A beautiful Chardonnay, and one that easily overshadowed the 2011 Chardonnay tasted next to it. The 2012 Damiana had lovely flavors of silky and creamy vanilla bean, lemon curd, poached pear, popcorn, and a hint of minerality. This was governed by a gliding swath of acid to create a perfect frame for the core fruit. However, this was not acidic in the least.
Good cut and delineation of flavors, as well as a smooth, long finish. The QPR is a bit steep at $60 considering the totality of what this wine delivers. $40 would've been the fair barometer for this Chardonnay.
92-93 points. Could improve over the next 6 months, but operating pretty optimally at present.
Good cut and delineation of flavors, as well as a smooth, long finish. The QPR is a bit steep at $60 considering the totality of what this wine delivers. $40 would've been the fair barometer for this Chardonnay.
92-93 points. Could improve over the next 6 months, but operating pretty optimally at present.
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Flight 2 (1 note)
White
2014 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay Satsum Langley Hill Vineyard
75 points
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
I don't necessarily have an automatic aversion to "orange" wine, though I think it is a little trend folks who are simply trying to do something different have latched on to for the moment; I've had some wines in this style that have at least been interesting (Kevin Kelley's Salinia orange petillant wine is one example). But this Satsum creation was bitter, drying, and pithy. No sense of breadth at all. Not even the best Eggs Benedict pairing could help this goofy concoction.
Best forgotten, even as a science experiment...and especially as something served as part of a Signature Reserve Tasting that you pay for. A bit insulting actually.
I don't necessarily have an automatic aversion to "orange" wine, though I think it is a little trend folks who are simply trying to do something different have latched on to for the moment; I've had some wines in this style that have at least been interesting (Kevin Kelley's Salinia orange petillant wine is one example). But this Satsum creation was bitter, drying, and pithy. No sense of breadth at all. Not even the best Eggs Benedict pairing could help this goofy concoction.
Best forgotten, even as a science experiment...and especially as something served as part of a Signature Reserve Tasting that you pay for. A bit insulting actually.
Flight 3 (1 note)
Red
2012 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains
83 points
Thin, watery, and pretty forgettable. Some diluted strawberry, pomegranate, cherry, and watermelon? flavors. No sense of body or frame at all. Like many of the Pinots from Fogarty, the low alcohol and overly light depth of flavors were overtly noticeable. A lost and weak example of the varietal.
Flight 4 (1 note)
Red
2012 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Series Vida Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains
83 points
Much like the appellation Pinot. Thin, diluted, and weak. I took one sip and dumped the wine. Instantly forgettable and disappointing. Not even lifesaver verbiage like "pretty" or "feminine" or "delicate" could help to describe or save this wine from showing its true lack of character. Another confusing member of the series of wines from this producer.
Flight 5 (1 note)
Red
2012 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Will's Cabin Vineyard
84 points
Obviously sounding like a broken record, this wine followed suit with its brethren Pinots in its lost and forgettable profile. Some diluted strawberry, black cherry, and a hint of forest floor (which added "interest" in theory - but this was long gone in terms of flavor before it even started). Tasted completely lifeless otherwise.
It was around this time in the tasting that I started to inquire about the methodologies practiced in the winemaking. The explanation was something I should have picked up on from the first sip of the Pinots... ANSWER: "In the Pursuit of Balance." Oh brother.?!?!..
Ok, so I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is it subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine? (Stepping off of my soapbox now).
84 generous points on this wine from me.
It was around this time in the tasting that I started to inquire about the methodologies practiced in the winemaking. The explanation was something I should have picked up on from the first sip of the Pinots... ANSWER: "In the Pursuit of Balance." Oh brother.?!?!..
Ok, so I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is it subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine? (Stepping off of my soapbox now).
84 generous points on this wine from me.
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Flight 6 (1 note)
Red
2012 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Series Muns Vineyard
82 points
Try as I might, I can't for the life of me remember this Pinot at all. I can tell you it was thin and lost on my palate.
The "In the Pursuit of Balance" methodologies practiced in the winemaking showed to disastrous effect. As mentioned in my other notes about this producer, I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is in its subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine? (Stepping off of my soapbox now).
The "In the Pursuit of Balance" methodologies practiced in the winemaking showed to disastrous effect. As mentioned in my other notes about this producer, I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is in its subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine? (Stepping off of my soapbox now).
Flight 7 (1 note)
Red
2012 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Rapley Trail Vineyard
85 points
Probably one of the "best" wines in the Pinot lineup, the Rapley Trail had a little bit of forest floor, mulch, and cedar to assist in attempting to wake up the otherwise diluted and watery black cherry and strawberry fruit flavors desperately trying to emerge from this wine. Totally died mid-palate, and had no real finish to speak of. Lost with the others in the lineup in the end.
The "In the Pursuit of Balance" methodologies practiced in the winemaking showed to disastrous effect. As mentioned in my other notes about this producer, I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is in its subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine?
85 points, and unfortunately my best (and most generous) scoring of the Fogarty Pinots.
The "In the Pursuit of Balance" methodologies practiced in the winemaking showed to disastrous effect. As mentioned in my other notes about this producer, I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is in its subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine?
85 points, and unfortunately my best (and most generous) scoring of the Fogarty Pinots.
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Flight 8 (1 note)
Red
2012 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Henry Ayrton's Block Rapley Trail Vineyard
84 points
What should have been the grand finale of the signature Pinot lineup from Fogarty ended up, not surprisingly, a total dud. Same old song with the watery and diluted flavor profile, even less so when compared with the other Rapley Trail version. Disappointing and forgettable. I'll stick with their Chardonnays.
The "In the Pursuit of Balance" methodologies practiced in the winemaking showed to disastrous effect. As mentioned in my other notes about this producer, I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is in its subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine?
The "In the Pursuit of Balance" methodologies practiced in the winemaking showed to disastrous effect. As mentioned in my other notes about this producer, I don't disagree with the idea IPOB conceptually, but what I have found is that nearly EVERY producer who has latched on to this kumbaya trend has in fact not created a balanced wine, but has instead created forgettable wines without any personalities whatsoever. Not shockingly, Fogarty has fallen victim to this Scientology of winemaking. Their Manifesto of Balance (no I didn't make that up) cites that the genius of Pinot is in its subtly and poise. But what of character? What of depth? What of tiered flavor profiles? What of intensity? What of any discernible personality that tells you something, anything, about this wine?
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Flight 9 (1 note)
Red
2010 Thomas Fogarty Syrah Fat Buck Ridge Vineyard
70 points
Dead and lifeless. Stewed plum, pepper, barnyard. Serving this as part of a Signature Reserve Tasting was insulting to say the least. Not even worth commenting further on.
Flight 10 (1 note)
Red
2010 Thomas Fogarty Lexington Meritage
69 points
Stewed and lifeless. Tasted dirty and manure-ridden. And of course, had that signature thin and diluted Fogarty style to it. In the Pursuit of Balance gone completely awry. Totally disappointing.
Having this as the finale to a Signature Reserve Tasting (one that you pay for no less) was pretty insulting.
Having this as the finale to a Signature Reserve Tasting (one that you pay for no less) was pretty insulting.