David and Christinna Rossi-Co-Founders
David Rossi-Winemaker
Fulcrum Wines, www.fulcrumwines.com, was founded by David and Christinna Rossi, a husband and wife team where David is the winemaker and Christinna markets the wine. His winemaking career began as a home winemaker and has grown from a basement full of commercial winemaking equipment to making his first commercial barrels at Crushpad (was in San Francisco) to a present custom crush facility in Napa, California. At this facility he will continue to perfect the processes on his fifth vintage of Pinot Noir’s that have yielded consistent high quality wine. He uses his self taught chemistry background and the science of enology to carefully craft and blend his wines toward Pinot perfection. He works closely with his growers on issues ranging from pruning, canopy management, crop thinning and harvest timing. In addition he oversees all aspects of each individual fermentation and is not afraid to experiment with different processes to enhance his wines.
David Rossi was born and raised in southern Arizona, where he grew up doing various jobs in the family restaurant business. Upon receiving his BS in Finance from the University of Arizona and a MSIA from Carnegie Mellon University, he has worked at sales and management positions in the food industry at major companies like Schwans, Tyson Foods and H.J. Heinz. Christinna Rossi graduated from Elmhurst College with a BA in Fine Art and has extensive experience in sales and customer service for some major companies throughout North America. Her focus is on marketing and customer service for Fulcrum and assisting with blending decisions. Together after winning many medals from national amateur winemaking competitions they decided to put that success towards starting Fulcrum Wines. They currently reside down in the seashore region of New Jersey and travel extensively to different wine expos and events throughout the United States to showcase their wines.
Fulcrum is a point of balance for a lever. We have printed on the cork a quote from the ancient Greek physicist Archimedes, who when explaining the principle of a lever said, "Give me one firm spot on which to stand and I can move the earth". Whether in wine or in physics, "balance" is a powerful notion. After our precious wine is bottled it is carefully wrapped in tissue and secured with a seal depicting an acrobat juggling. This image embodies our guiding principle of balance. The very gifted artist that painted the work for us is Stephen Hall of New York City. All Fulcrum wines are closed with 2 inch premium all-natural corks. They offer a full refund or replacement if one finds a “corked” bottle.
With the 2008 Vintage, Fulcrum has delivered on what we feel is our most impressive line up of Pinots yet. Rich, elegant, complex and balanced. Clearly our style shows through in these wines, but ultimately each is a reflection of the vineyard and region where the fruit is grown. 2008 was a warm vintage particularly in Sonoma County so you will see slightly elevated alcohols this year. To balance this we worked to enhance the boldness of the fruit component of each wine. We think you will be very pleased with the results.
The Wines:
2008 Fulcrum “On Point” 150 cases made.
Fulcrum tasting notes-Captivating aromas of blueberry, dried leaf and eucalyptus lead to forward flavors of berries and toasty spice. Soft tannins and moderate acidity make this an easy wine to enjoy.
WINELX.com, Corkscrews Reviews-CR-91- A nose of dark ripe fruit and spice, medium dark amber in color. A smooth and elegant Pinot, dark cherry, cola and spice, some earth, good finish, a solid wine that drinks like a $50 Pinot Noir.
2008 Fulcrum “Anderson Valley” 75 cases made.
Fulcrum tasting notes-Dusty strawberry and cherry with candied notes on the nose with a hint of underbrush and moss. High tones of dried cranberry and cherry flavors with firm acidity and seamlessly integrated tannins. Very elegant and age worthy. Wine Enthusiast-87
2008 Fulcrum “Tina Marie Russian River” 125 cases made.
Fulcrum tasting notes-Smoky cherry with floral notes on the nose. Layers of red and dark cherry flavors with cola spice and oolong tea are bright and lively. Silky texture and long finish. Complex, balanced and complete. Wine Spectator-86 Wine Enthusiast-94 (one of WE’s top rated Pinot Noir’s in 2010)
WE-This is a wonderfully rich, seductive Pinot Noir. It has the lushness and complexity you want in a fine California bottling, with a silky texture and crisp acidity. The flavors are very complex, ranging from raspberry and cherry tart, cola and exotic rosehip tea to sandalwood, finishing with a flourish of spice. Lots of new oak, but it’s perfectly in keeping with the wine’s volume. – S.H. (9/1/2010) – 94
2008 “Gap’s Crown (formerly Split Rock) Sonoma Coast” 100 cases made.
Fulcrum tasting notes-Notes of dark cherry and wild berries with smoky anise and baking spice waft up from the glass. Concentrated cherry, berry and spicy toast flavors interwoven with a solid structure of acid and tannin. The finish lingers. Very well balanced and age worthy. Wine Spectator-90 Wine Enthusiast-95 (one of WE’s top rated Pinot Noir’s in 2010)
WE-Big and powerful, but nuanced despite its size. It’s a dark, extracted wine, filled with wild cherry, raspberry, currant and sandalwood flavors, as well as exotic notes of forest balsam, grilled mushrooms, tamari and dusty Indian spices. Super-complex, it changes with every sip, and should change interestingly over the next six years. The vineyard is in the Petaluma Gap, and argues strongly for that region’s future. – S.H. (9/1/2010) – 95
Where to find Fulcrum Wines in 2011;
New York Wine Expo, Javits Center, New York, NY
February 25-27th, 2011
www.wine-expos.com
World of Pinot Noir, Shell Beach, CA, The Cliffs Resort
March 6th, 2011
www.worldofpinotnoir.com
Wine Enthusiast Toast of the Town, New York, NY, Lincoln Center
May 5th, 2011
www.wineenthusiast.com/toast
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, Anderson Valley, CA
May 20th-22nd, 2011
www.avwines.com
Pinot Days, San Francisco, CA, Fort Mason
June 18th, 2011
www.pinotdays.com
Wine Enthusiast Toast of the Town, Miami, FL, Adrienne Arsht Center
September 23rd, 2011
www.wineenthusiast.com/toast