Mayacama Wine Offer - Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Anderson Valley in California’s Mendocino County now ranks with the top Pinot Noir regions in North America. While production is not huge, quality is soaring, as rising-star winemakers join homegrown stalwarts in producing sleek, powerful Pinots.

Cutting laterally through the coastal range rather than lying between ridges, the west or “deep end” of the Anderson Valley is only a few miles from the cold Pacific Ocean, while the town of Boonville is some 20 miles to the east. Such unique geography results in a wide diurnal range, with daily high and low temperatures occasionally diverging 40 or 50 degrees. This enables Pinot Noir growers to keep acid development in line with sugar and flavor formation through long, warm Indian summers.

The Pacific fog also plays a dominant role in the climate of the Anderson Valley. Following the path of the Navarro River from the Pacific, the fog drifts in and blankets the valley with low hanging cool air. The Anderson Valley extends about 10 miles from end to end and contains over 20 different types of alluvial soils. The area around the cities of Philo and Navarro in the center and north end of the valley receive considerably more cooling fog influence than the plantings closer to Boonville in the south. Despite being called a "valley," very few vineyards are planted on flat land. Much of the Anderson Valley is planted on a series of steep hills that range in elevation from 800–1300 feet.

The Wines

2015 Black Kite, River's Turn
Winemaker Jeff Gaffner is declaring their 2015 the best River Turn Pinot Noir ever, and his favorite wine of the vintage. Its varietal signature is stunning, beginning with the lush blueberry, strawberry, black cherry and plum aromatics that gain rich chocolate, mocha and more ripe berry notes on the palate. A beautifully textural wine, it offers the perfect balance of length, concentration and acid. Drink upon release or hold for 5-10 years.

2016 Cakebread, Two Creek
This Pinot is very expressive with aromas of fresh strawberries, earth, toasted wood, asparagus, soy sauce, orange zest, floral notes and a hint of game. Great structure, focused and delicious with lots of spice and minerality on the finish. I would recommend waiting 2-3 years before uncorking this, but there is no rush as it looks to have the potential to last another 5-10 years in the cellar.

2014 Champs du Reves
This spectacular vineyard is perched high above Boonville in the hills of Anderson Valley, just 18 miles from the Pacific coastline. Boone Ridge is a veritable aerie, with sweeping views of the valley below. A wide array of aspects in the vineyard creates multiple microclimates, each displaying unique characteristics as these relatively young vines continue to age.

The wine shows vibrant blueberry-strawberry fruit intertwines with aromas of dark-red rose, maple, licorice, and toasted hazelnut. On the palate, juicy raspberry, dark cocoa, and pennyroyal flavors emerge. This wine is delicately-balanced with acidity and crystalline minerality that lead into a firmly structured finish.

2012 Copain, Kiser En Bas
Copain, meaning ‘friend’ or ‘buddy’ in French, embodies their philosophy that wine enhances the good things in life, and is an experience best shared with friends and family.

Beginning their second-decade bottling of the lower block of Kiser - this section contains more clay than the upper block which provides a density that translates to a more plush, ample mouthfeel. Pure dark red fruits and beetroot with undertones of fennel fronds - the finish connotes a dusty yet supple tannic structure.

2015 Goldeneye
Combining the lush fruit from the warmer Anderson Valley estate vineyards with the rustic elegance of grapes from the cooler “deep end” of the valley. This is a rich and beautifully textured Pinot Noir with velvety tannins and bright acidity. On the palate, flavors of candied cherry and dark plum are underscored by deeper notes of forest floor. The finish is long and supple, with lively fruit and just a touch of French oak. The wines show all of the hallmarks of great Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, with equal parts lushness and beauty, mixed with savory notes, and a touch of wildness.

2015 Rys, Bearwallow
High-density vines planted at Bearwallow Vineyard. ·Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark raspberry, cherry, turned earth, underbrush and spice lead off. More fruity on the palate, featuring mid weight flavors of cherry and raspberry with a bit of earthiness. Firm tannins show up as astringency on the juicy, cherry-driven finish. With decanting and a bit of air, the wine becomes softer in the mouth with delightful cherry fruit and less astringency.

The Offer

2015 Black Kite, River's Turn - $60

2016 Cakebread, Two Creek - $48

2014 Champs du Reves - $38

2012 Copain, Kiser en Bas - $72

2015 Golden Eye - $66

2015 Rys, Bearwallow - $56

Jeff McCarthy, Wine Director 
[email protected]
707.569.2906