Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Pinot Noir Jackson Estate Anderson Valley comes from three vineyards (Boont Ridge, Falk, and Philo) in the Anderson Valley and spent 12 months in 30% new French oak. It offers beautiful red currants, dried earth, dried spices, and loamy earth as well as medium-bodied richness and depth. With bright acidity, a clean, balanced profile, no hard edges, and outstanding length, it should drink nicely for 4-6 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aged 12 months in 31% new French oak, the 2016 Jackson Estate Appellation Series Pinot Noir Anderson Valley has a pale to medium ruby-purple color and displays an earthy nose of tilled soil, fallen leaves and truffles with a core of red and black cherries and mulberries with a touch of lavender. Medium to full-bodied, it completely coats the palate with vibrant red and black fruit, framed by fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long. 5,025 cases produced.
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Wine Enthusiast
The Jackson Estate wines are usually a couple of steps above K-J Vintner's Reserve. Full ripeness and a moderate vein of sweet-seeming oak make this full-bodied wine taste sunny and appealing. Black-cherry and baking-spice aromas lead to juicy generous fruit flavors.
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.