The bright, translucent ruby color extends an invitation to explore the Intense, straightforward cherry, strawberry, raspberry fruit with a hint of vanilla and smoke. Grapes from the Apple Barn and Annahala vineyards in Anderson Valley are harvested from a total of 16 different vineyard blocks. Each lot is fermented separately and aged for three months in French oak, 41 percent new, before blending. The newly blended lots spend an additional ten months in barrel, then bottled. It’s a delicious baby and it will be interesting to watch its development in the bottle. You may need to buy more than one.
Cakebread Cellars, Anderson Valley (Mendocino County, California) Pinot Noir 2020
By Rebecca Murphy