Winemaker Notes
The 2018 vintage turned up the amplitude on their Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, it is a surprisingly intense wine that retains its elegance and delicacy. The aromatics are dominated by dark flavors of Earl Grey tea, cassis, black licorice, and ganache. Hints of Spanish Cedar and cloves add further spice, while black cherry, the signature fruit of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, provides the backbone. In the mouth, layers of spice and fruit continue with flavors of blood orange, pomegranate, persimmon, and more black cherry mingle with notes of black tea, dark chocolate, and anis. The bright acid and silky tannins give the wine a fresh vibrancy.
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
The letters in FEL represent Florence Elsie Lede, Proprietor Cliff Lede’s mother, a home winemaker who provided the early inspiration for Lede’s love of wine.
Growing up in Alberta, Canada, Cliff remembers the tulip as signifying the end of winter, bringing with it a freshness and excitement of warmer days ahead. The FEL label, featuring an illustration of an opening tulip, is a tribute to Florence’s passion for gardening.
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.