Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There are nearly 3,000 cases of the 2012 Pinot Noir Jackson Estate Outland Ridge. Made from Dijon clones 828, 667 and 777, this beauty moves toward Pinot Noir’s blue fruit spectrum, displaying notes of blueberries and raspberries. It was aged in equal parts new French, old French and old American oak. A terrific wine offered at a reasonable price, this supple, velvety textured Pinot should drink well for 4-6 years.
Range: 90-93 Points
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Wine Enthusiast
This substantive Pinot shows definite toasted oak character along with ripe fruit, full body and firm tannins. Hints of oak smoke and caramel waft over the ripe plum aromas. The flavors go to dark cherries and coffee, the texture is attractively astringent from tannins, and the finish carries a little bite. Well done but not overdone.
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.