Winemaker Notes
Floral with ripe strawberry aromas. Beautiful and subtle. Medium to full body, fine tannin's and a polished, inviting finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Both powerful and delicious, this full-bodied wine offers great depth of flavors, breadth in the mouthfilling texture and excellent length on the finish. It’s packed with ripe, tempting black cherry, nervy rhubarb, mint and spicy clove on the palate, while a velvety blanket of fine-grained tannins adds grip. Best through 2027.
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Jeb Dunnuck
From Anderson Valley, the 2016 Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard has a touch of old-world charm in its savory, complex bouquet of dried earth, forest floor, leafy herbs, and dried red fruits. Complex, weightless, and elegant on the palate, it’s a great example of the style of the 2016 vintage and will continue drinking nicely for at least 7-8 years.
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James Suckling
This is a beautiful and subtle pinot with floral and ripe strawberry aromas that follow through to a medium to full body. Fine tannins and a refined finish. Very polished and inviting. A new wine from here. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard was aged 15 months in 35% new Austrian and 8% new French oak. Medium ruby, it opens with touches of tar and gunflint that give way to blueberries, blackberries, peppercorn, charcuterie, dried herbs and red berries. It's medium-bodied and broody, giving up intense, savory layers with a surprisingly soft frame and well-woven freshness, finishing long and spicy. 1,700 cases produced. Rating: 92+
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.