Winemaker Notes
This Pinot Noir features expressive aromas of strawberry, cherry, jasmine, baking spice, red currant, almond and a touch of anise. The palate is well structured, offering flavors of black plum, red currant, pepper, vanilla, cassis, dark chocolate with fine grained tannins, which lead effortlessly into a long, lasting finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This effusive, cheery and luxurious wine leads with fresh cherry aromas, coats the palate with strawberry and red-cherry flavors and finishes with even more fruit. It is tasty, soft and full bodied.
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.