Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is vivid and concentrated but not overly ripe, so it has an attractive tension between almost-tart red-cherry and sour-cherry flavors and richer savory mushroom and forest-floor notes. It's possibly the most nervy wine yet from the Charles Vineyard. Good acidity and moderate tannins add welcome grip on the palate, while the finish lingers nicely. Editors’ Choice
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Wine & Spirits
In 2001, William and Nancy Charles planted 10.5 acres of pinot noir just southeast of Boonville on a site that balances the valley’s coastal-forest cool with inland ripeness. You’ll find both in this wine, made by Darren Low, who’s spent a good deal of his career exploring the outer limits of Anderson Valley pinot noir. This one sits in the middle, an architype of the region’s pinot, approachable, rich without weight, bright with foresty scents of manzanita.
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.