The La Crema Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2005 ** from the "cool" region of Mendocino ($35) made by winemaker Melissa Stackhouse is by far and away the best wine I have tasted from here in years. The website states, "Vineyards are 10-15 miles from the rugged Mendocino coast, and vines struggle on steep slopes, developing complex, small berries." From 98% Anderson Valley fruit with 2% Russian River Valley blended in, this purple tinged pinot noir with minor iridescence spent nine months in 100% French oak, 35% new. Predominantly mixed berry notes without overt sweetness but sweet soft tannin, mild woodsy mid palate notes and good intensity on the palate. This is a good find. 2000 cases produced.
A leg up in quality, we also tasted the Hartford Court Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyards *** from the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley AVA ($45). The winery will tell you, "This wine reflects its cool Green Valley terroir, showing the brightness and purity of cherry and cranberry flavors along with an elegant and refined texture." But that's not right at all. This is darker and more concentrated than many Green Valley pinot noirs I have tasted, and has a pine, woodsy, damp earth and musk complexity that confounded me at first. Aged 11 months in 100% French oak, 55% of which was new, the oak is completely hidden. 1000 cases produced. Get one if you can.
Many thanks to our friends at the Kendall Jackson legal department for bringing these wines to our attention!
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