Elke Mary Elke Boonville Barter Pinot Noir 2014
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As with all Elke Pinot Noirs, the special care taken in making this wine allows it to be bottled unfined and unfiltered, which means it may accumulate a small amount of sediment over time - that is an indication of a more natural, less manufactured wine!
In 1997, Elke began to save some of their favorite Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay grapes for their own wines. They produce limited quantities of each wine, using traditional, handcrafted winemaking at the winery in Anderson Valley. This type of winemaking allows Elke's wines to be "wines of a place," meaning that they will speak to you of where the grapes were grown, and the conditions under which they grew.
Anderson Valley, located in Mendocino County just above Sonoma County, is one of California’s coolest AVAs, allowing it a long growing season. Only 15 miles long, the region makes a slice eastward through the mountains, from the frigid Pacific Ocean. Dramatic diurnal temperature variations here preserve grape acidity and thus freshness in the finished wines. These are prime conditions for growing Pinot Noir, and the valley produces many fine versions. Characteristics of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir typically include crisp acidity, cranberry and strawberry notes as well as earthy notes of forest floor and mushroom.
Still Pinot Noir, however, is only part of the story. Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, are also grown for Anderson Valley’s exceptional sparkling wines. Produced via the traditional method, these offer a classic toasty note from lees aging, bright, complex fruit notes and a clean, refreshing character.