Winemaker Notes
Wonderful breadth, depth, and personality in spades. Afleet incorporates five distinct blocks from the vineyard and incorporates 40% whole cluster fermentation to craft a wine with lifted floral notes and pleasantly rustic tannins. Blood orange, cardamom, passion fruit and mushroom aromas mingle and develop over time. A juicy palate complimented by bold rustic tannins and a vibrant acidity frame the wine and carry through to the finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This lovely and subtly layered wine was aged in 20% new French barrels for 16 months and exudes warm, mulled plums and cherries along with light meaty, earthy accents on a full body. Soft tannins keep the palate impression velvety and broad.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Pinot Noir Afleet Estate Vineyard utilized 40% stem inclusion with whole clusters. The aromatics are spiced and take on more depth, with red plum, cinnamon, and forest floor. The palate has more structure as well, with brambly red fruit, wild raspberry, and turned earth. It has a bit of youthful astringency on the peripheral palate, so hold 1-2 years and drink 2024-2032.
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.