We’ve recently received a few wines from a new winery in California named Flipflop.  Here we’ll be reviewing their first pinot noir, the 2009 vintage.  We’ll also soon be reviewing their first cabernet sauvignon, also a 2009.  David Georges started the Flipflop winery with the goal of creating wines that are true to their varietal characteristics, taste great, and don’t break the bank.    That’s right in our wheelhouse!  So let’s see how they taste.

But before we get into the review, I’d like to share an observation.  I’ve been in the marketing and advertising space for over 12 years now and as I’ve mentioned in some of my rants and ravings here at Cheapwineratings.com, I can certainly appreciate when a winery offers up some clever branding.  However, I have very little tolerance for brands with nothing more than unsubstantiated “sizzle”.  When it comes to wines, I’m a purist, and there is simply no substitute for good old-fashioned quality.

From a marketer’s perspective, however, there is a lot to like here.  If we were Cheapwinemarketingreviews.com, I would be scoring Flipflop in the high 90’s. As I dug more into Flipflop’s packaging, web site, and brand story, I was impressed with the execution.   But I couldn’t help but feel that David Georges was trying to ‘make bank’ instead of helping his customers avoid breaking the bank.  But I’ve thoroughly digressed.

We’re here to review a pinot noir.  And, a pinot noir this certainly is.  There is plenty of cherry up front on the nose and through the palate.  The wine is very pleasant, but this is by no means a complex wine.  The finish is mild, with mild tannins and mild acidity.  The aroma is straightforward cherry.

There is absolutely nothing here that anyone would find off-putting.  And, if you were to think so then I would recommend that you stop drinking wine altogether.  You may even want to consider giving up grape juice, for that matter.   All that said, Flipflop has produced a decent pinot noir in their first vintage.  Here’s to hoping that they begin channeling some of that marketing money and thinking into creating some more distinguished wines.

A  Salute!

Wine: Flipflop           
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 12.5%
Rating: 84
Price:  $7.00

Find Flipflop Pinot Noir with Snooth

Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.