Winemaker Notes
Courtney Benham founded Angeline in 1990, in the heart of Sonoma County. Made in the Russian River Valley at Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery, Angeline’s philosophy has been steadfast from the start –make wine that is a true expression of its varietal.Sourcingfruit from premium vineyards throughout California, Angelineis focusedon thefundamentalsof wine: intentional farming and idyllic conditions. With minimal intervention from the winemaking team, AngelineVineyardsemphasizes the characteristics of each varietal, letting the fruit speak.In essence, AngelinePinot Noir tastes like Pinot Noir –bright, focused, and clean.By highlighting the unique qualities of each varietal, Angeline resonates with those that appreciate the simplicity of good winemaking. But most importantly, Angeline is a wine we want to drink. From a white tablecloth to a picnic blanket, a cheese plate, or a cheeseburger, Angeline has range.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.