Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
So full of woodsy, savory complexity, backed by broad, beautiful black fruits. This powerful, medium-bodied wine is packed with flavors of black cherries, blueberries, redwood duff, bay leaf and singed herbs. Fascinating, deep and lingering on the finish.
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Vinous
The powerful and deep 2018 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard Block E is just starting to show the first signs of aromatic development. Sweet notes of dried cherry, spice, new leather, tobacco, mint and dried herbs build slowly in the glass. As always, the Wendling is marked by its intense mid-palate and equally potent overall structure. The 2018 has always been magnificent—today it is all that and more, despite its obvious reticence.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard Block E has intense, youthful aromas of pomegranate, blood orange, mixed tea leaves, wildflowers, mushrooms and earth. The medium-bodied palate offers powerful flavors framed by grainy tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, iron-laced finish.
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.