Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Warm baking-spice aromas and ripe, almost jammy fruit flavors come together nicely in this medium- to full-bodied wine. It offers delicious strawberry and red cherry at first, before revealing darker fruit flavors on the palate and finish.
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Wine & Spirits
A regional blend, this is solidly built, with tart rhubarb and sour cherry flavors and some tension in the smoky tannins. Soft and a touch sweet, it’s ready to decant now for grilled pork.
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.