The Cliff Notes: This garnet red beast throws strong plum fruit, complex earth and a delicious funk. Pepper highlights ride waves of coffee and chocolate on a velvet structure. The truth is, it made my mouth water, and I hope the same for you. A full berry tail-out and good tannin grip ensure the ability to deliver years of aging.
The Story: SI usually think of my block from Anderson Family as that certain college professor that pushed you to get it right because it mattered. Well in 2005, the college professor is as intellectual as ever…but he’s been out drinking. Who guessed the leather elbow patches were for break dancing? Who knew he was used to spinning all that funk on his turntable, or that he could so well cover Parliament on the karaoke machine? I think Cliff Anderson channeled him.
Cases Produced: 98
The Building of: Small-lot wild yeast fermentations, 100% barrel aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (one new, one once-filled, two twice-filled). Bottled unfined and unfiltered in April 2007.
Ageability: Decant to get it air within its first three years. Well cellared, you should anticipate additional complexity during its first 10 years with a potential 12- to 20-year drinking horizon.
Alcohol: 13.75%
pH: 3.71
Vineyards: The wine for these three best barrels comes from the steep and rocky South Block of Anderson Family Vineyards. The vines are dry- farmed 15-year-old Dijon 115 clone Pinot noir immaculately grown by Cliff, Allison and Rudy. The site naturally sets some of the smallest berries and clusters in the state, literally like high-bush blueberries. Just as in 2004, the fruit set in 2005 ridiculously limited our crop and resulted in great concentration of flavor in the remaining berries and ultimately, the wine made from them.
Available for purchase Nov. 10th. Supplies are limited. To download our PDF order form, Click Here.
