Winemaker Notes
Pair with roasted pheasant with bright, tangerine roasted root vegetables, or any dish highlighting grilled chicken and herbs.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
An exciting wine that is positively lean in style, and then a pure, dry strawberry fruit asserts itself on the palate, mingled with herbs and rosehip with just a little sweet nut to soften it. A remarkable mix of deliciousness and elegance, red and black fruits coming through on the nose and lingering throughout the palate; making this a well-balanced wine with great length.
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Wine Enthusiast
Bright aromas and vibrant fruit flavors combine for a very energized, beautifully balanced wine that will shine at the dinner table. It has rhubarb and sour-cherry aromas, red-cherry and cinnamon flavors, a lively texture and lingering finish.
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.