The fine people at Flat Rock recently announced that they had sold out of their 2018 vintages of Gravity and Rusty Shed. The wines from the cool and challenging 2019 vintage prove that regardless of what mother nature dishes out these cool climate grapes can deliver the goods year in, year out. One thing that is noteworthy is that it seems that Flat Rock have also heard me preach value by raising the price of gravity by five dollars – but don’t worry it is still fantastic value and delivers outstanding quality wine.
2019 The Rusty Shed Chardonnay – Vintages 1552 – $32.95 – **** – There’s something about the cool vintages that really raise an eyebrow. This Chardonnay did not disappoint – It’s always tough to review a wine shortly after being bottled – because it usually takes a bit of time for things to come together. But this is already drinking great. This wine perennially walks a perfect tightrope of vanilla and spice from barrel influence, but not letting the delicious orchard fruit take center stage. This vintage is no different. I look forward to stocking up on this, but I think it does need a little bit of time in bottle to really reach perfect harmony so enjoy this from 2022-2027.
2019 Gravity – Vintages 1560 – $39.95 – ****+ – 2019 was a challenging vintage, but I don’t think these grapes got the memo. The aromas are rustic and complex with blackberry, sour cherry, and damn soil. My first sip of the wine I was surprised at the big tannin – it took a little bit of time to relax – all this tells me is that this is another bottle that needs a bit more time to come together in bottle. As this wine opened up in my glass the fruit notes came together and a symphony of cherry, and blackberry. The deeper you get into this glass the more notes start to reveal themselves – the finish on this wine is like a perfect moment in late spring when you leave the house and you get aromas of wet concrete and damp soil with the promise of a verdant spring. I really enjoyed this wine – elegant and balanced and something that needs a bit of patience. Best enjoyed 2023-2027.
