Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
This is the second vintage of the Jackson family's Angerson Valley pinot noir project, from a high-elevation property that Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke purchased in 1999 and began planting in 2006. The vineyard sits above the town of Booneville at elevations approaching 2,000 feet, benefiting from plenty of sunlight as well as cooling ocean breezes coming over the hills to the west. The vineyard's sandstone-based soils grew a concentrated, mineral pinot noir in 2011, a wine that feels both ample and focused, glowing with rich dark cherry tones and loaded with earth scents of cedar bark and forest mushrooms, layered and complex. It's beautiful now, and its structure has room to grow with time in the cellar.
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.