Fulcrum Pinot Noir 2016

Fulcrum Pinot Noir 2016 is a 750ml, 14.3% ABV Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir sourced from the renowned Gap's Crown Vineyard in Petaluma. Scoring 91 points from aggregated critics, this vintage demonstrates the richness and structure that have made Fulcrum one of the most respected small-production Pinot Noir projects in California.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.3%  |  Origin: Sonoma Coast, California  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Winemaker: David Rossi, Fulcrum (est. 2005)

Production & Heritage

Fulcrum was founded in 2005 by winemaker David Rossi, who built the label around single-vineyard Pinot Noir from elite California sites. The 2016 release draws exclusively from Gap's Crown Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, using only clones 114 and 828 — a deliberate selection from the six Pinot Noir clones planted at the site, farmed to Rossi's specifications under long-term contract. The wine was aged 11 months in French oak barrels (40% new) and bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving the full texture and character of the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark garnet in the glass, the nose opens with soft oak before giving way to intoxicating layers of dark brambly berry, violets, earth, and char. With time, the aromatics deepen into a complex interplay of spice and floral tones.

Taste: The entry is plush and generous, revealing creamy plum, black-cherry compote, and red currant flavors with a sappy, almost molasses-like richness. The mid-palate shows a strong, structured backbone, with integrated oak and tannin supporting hints of bacon, exotic Mediterranean spice, and dried herb. This is a fully complete wine with considerable density.

Finish: Long and soft, the finish lingers with seasoning notes of warm spice and subtle earthiness. The texture remains impressive throughout, tapering slowly with lasting dark-fruit resonance.

How to Drink Fulcrum Pinot Noir

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (55–60°F), ideally decanted for 30 minutes to let its youthful density unwind. It drinks beautifully on its own but also has the weight to stand up alongside food. For a Burgundy-style Kir, combine with a touch of crème de cassis to echo the wine's dark-fruit core. It pairs naturally in a classic Coq au Vin preparation, where its structure and spice mirror the dish. A red-wine sangria built around this Pinot would benefit from its plush cherry and plum character.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Pinot Noir collector who values single-vineyard California bottlings
• Serving at a special dinner alongside roasted poultry or duck
• Cellaring for medium-term aging to allow further development of its dense fruit
• Comparing side-by-side with other Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noirs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fulcrum Pinot Noir taste like? The 2016 vintage delivers a rich, plush palate of creamy plum, black-cherry compote, and red currant, layered with bacon, Mediterranean spice, and earthy undertones. It is fully structured with integrated tannin and a long, soft finish.

How does Fulcrum Pinot Noir compare to Kosta Browne Gap's Crown Pinot Noir? Both wines are sourced from the same prestigious Gap's Crown Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, with Kosta Browne's experience at the site dating back to 2006. Fulcrum differentiates itself through its specific selection of only clones 114 and 828 and its approach of bottling unfined and unfiltered, often resulting in what has been described as the most rich and voluptuous expression in the Fulcrum lineup.

Is Fulcrum Pinot Noir good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a wine built for contemplative drinking, with enough complexity and textural depth to reward careful, unaccompanied tasting, especially after a brief decant.

Where is Fulcrum Pinot Noir made? Fulcrum is a California-based winery founded by David Rossi in 2005, and this 2016 bottling is sourced from Gap's Crown Vineyard, a highly regarded site on the Sonoma Coast near Petaluma in Sonoma County.

What foods pair well with Fulcrum Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast complements the wine's dark-fruit richness and spice. Grilled lamb chops echo its earthy, herbal notes. Wild mushroom risotto highlights its creamy texture. Aged Gruyère draws out the subtle oak and savory undertones. Pan-seared salmon provides a lighter pairing that lets the wine's fruit shine.

What sizes does Fulcrum Pinot Noir come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Fulcrum Pinot Noir worth the price? Fulcrum positions as a premium, small-production single-vineyard Pinot Noir, competing in a tier alongside highly regarded Sonoma Coast producers. Its clone-specific sourcing from Gap's Crown Vineyard and hands-off winemaking approach offer genuine distinction within a competitive category.

Why Fulcrum Pinot Noir?

What separates this bottling from the broader landscape of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is the specificity of its sourcing: only clones 114 and 828 from Gap's Crown Vineyard, one of the most celebrated Pinot Noir sites on the California coast. David Rossi's decision to bottle unfined and unfiltered preserves a textural depth that many producers filter away, resulting in a wine with genuine weight and authenticity. The 2016 vintage, widely regarded as a ripe and even growing season, allowed this approach to yield a structured, long-finishing wine with impressive concentration. For drinkers seeking single-vineyard Pinot Noir with transparent winemaking and verifiable site character, this is a compelling bottle.