Folly Of The Beast Pinot Noir 2022

Call me Domaine Dave. The Folly Of The Beast Pinot Noir 2022 is a Herman Melville/Moby Dick inspired wine sourced from fruit grown in California’s Central Coast AVA. I found it at a local wine store selling for $14.99.

The Story

Ryan Zotovich is the head winemaker for ABG Wines. He has worked for Palmina, Brewer-Clifton, and Sea Smoke and, along with his Uncle, at Zotovich Cellars in the Russian River AVA.

His relentless search for the white whale is his passion to create the best, well-priced Central Coast Pinot Noir.

The Folly Of The Beast Pinot Noir 2022 is sourced from carefully chosen vineyards from the Central Coast.

This Pinot Noir was fermented in Stainless steel vats and then transferred to French oak barrels for 12 months of aging. 40% of the barrels are new oak with the rest used barrels.

Here is the Melville quote behind the brand name, “For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not indefinitely outdone by the madness of man”. I guess the search for the perfect Pinot Noir grapes turned into something of an obsession.

This is a sustainably farmed wine, so no whales were harpooned in the making of the Folly Of The Beast Pinot Noir 2022.

The alcohol content is 13.6%.

The Folly Of The Beast Pinot Noir 2022 Tasting Notes

The color is a see-through garnet red. The nose is excellent, there is crushed dried fall leaves, mushroom, cherry, black pepper, plum, exotic spice, and orchids. The Folly Of The Beast Pinot Noir 2022 is medium to light bodied, with classic California Pinot Noir flavors and textures.

This pinot Noir tastes like tart cherry, black licorice, a hint of dark chocolate, a savory note, odd and interesting spice, cooling plum, orange zest, a salty sensation, and cranberry.

This Pinot Noir has a pleasing mouthfeel, the tannins are smooth and the acidity provides the backbone for the flavors to unfold.

The Summary

• The Folly Of The Beast Pinot Noir 2022 is made the way I like my Pinot Noir.
• Subtle, but beautiful.
• The modern take on Pinot Noir is more body and more alcohol, but this Pinot is Old School, especially in this price range. Expensive Pinot is all old School.
• This is a very tasty, well-priced, and well made wine.

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