Vineyard: Valenti

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs (6.28 6/3/2007)
Woodenhead: Real Wines Made with Dinosaur Methodology (9.26 6/23/2013)
Mendocino Ridge: New Frontier for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (8.9 1/22/2010)
Recent Sips of Pinot Noir (9.40 4/17/2014)
Anderson Noir Valley Pinot Festival: After the Smoke Clears (8.16 6/8/2010)
Wineries in Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge* (6.60 6/9/2008)
Tasting 2015 Pinot Noir at Drew Estate in Elk with Jason Drew (11.6 7/8/2017)
Tastes of World of Pinot Noir (10.7 4/6/2015)
More Princely Pinots (8.42 8/11/2011)
Open Your Wallet for Pinot Pleasure (6.55 3/17/2008)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Baxter Winery
Drew Family Cellars
Woodenhead

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Drew Valenti Ranch Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 125 cases, $50. Jason leases this vineyard and has taken over the farming. Average vine age 18 years. Yield 1.6 tons per acre. Clones are Rochioli, 667 and 115. Well-drained soils with decomposed sandstone and high iron. Native ferments, 10% whole cluster, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. This wine unfolds nicely over time in the glass. Perfume of dark red cherry, peppery spice, underbrush, balsam and flower. A bit tight, but offering an array of savory dark red fruits with impressive intensity in the mouth. The wine has a woodsy, mushroom tone. Nicely balanced, with agreeable tannins and an uplifting, citrus driven finish. Score: 92. Reviewed July 9, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Drew Gatekeepers Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., $32. Grapes are from Valenti and Perli vineyards. 60% 667, 25% 777 and 15% Rochioli selection. Harvest Brix 22º-23º. 15% whole cluster fermentation. 100% native fermentation. 10% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. Nicely perfumed with scents of fresh cherry pie glaze, spice, toast and sunflower seed. Elegant and fresh, with mid weight flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and cranberry with a touch of spice and oak. Tangy acidity and mild fine-grain tannins. Plenty of verve to grab on and hold through a long, cherry-themed finish. Very generous in its youth, but fine the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating it can be cellared for several years. Score: 90. Reviewed April 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Baxter Valenti Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

$48. Vineyard is high upon Greenwood Ridge above the fog line and bathed in sunshine while moderation from the nearby ocean keeps grape maturation slow and steady. 30% whole cluster. · Moderately light red cherry color in the glass. Aromas of cherries, strawberries, spice and herbal tea. Flavors of black stone fruits and pomegranate with a riff of savory herbal notes in the background. The fine-grain, lithe tannins and juicy acidity make for easy drinking. Score: 92-94. Reviewed April 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Woodenhead Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

148 cases, $38. Sourced from the Valenti Vineyard. 60% of bud stock came from Morning Dew Ranch including a Rochioli selection with the remaining 40% clone 115. First crop from vines budded over to Pinot Noir from Zinfandel. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Unfolds slowly in the glass, offering fragrant notes of dark cherries and berries with a hint of oak and dried rose petals. On the lighter side, but very tasty and highly approachable, with flavors that echo the nose, finishing with a flourish of black raspberry aromatics. The tannins are dry and fine-grain, the acidity brings the fruit to life and the whole package is very smooth and dreamy on the palate. Very good (+). Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Drew Valenti Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 72 cases, $40. This vineyard is located on the top of Greenwood Ridge, 6 miles from the ocean at 1,400 feet above sea level. It is a challenging site with daily maritime winds resulting in very cool temperatures throughout the growing season. The marginally fertile topsoil overlays a deep profile of sandstone and shale which roots can penetrate deeply to take up water and minerals enabling a dry farming situation. Daytime temperatures are typically 7 to 10 degrees cooler than the Anderson Valley floor. Yields are very low. · Deep purple color in the glass. Very reluctant nose offering little fruit and primarily oak. Admirable richness and intensity of fruit flavor offering a rainbow of dark fruits including black cherries, black plums and cassis. Still tight with oak and tannin in evidence. Set this aside in your cellar while you drink the Fog-Eater. Could be a wine to contemplate down the road. Very Good. Reviewed August 13, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Drew Valenti Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 362 cases, $36. Very low yields due to severe frost resulting in intensity with relatively high acidity and firm tannins at lower sugar levels. The first Valenti Vineyard vineyard-designate Pinot Noir. Clones 114, 667. · Slightly restrained, even after an hour in the glass, showing dark cherry and berry, hay field and floral aromas. Tasty core of black cherry and black raspberry fruit which is saturating on the palate. Noticeable, but not intrusive ripe tannins with a smooth entry and follow through leading to a clean finish. This wine will continue to improve with cellaring as the tannins integrate and soften over time. If you can’t keep your hands of it now, decant. Very good. Reviewed January 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Drew Valenti Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.63, 362 cases, $36. Released in the spring 2010. This vineyard is located at the top of Greenwood Ridge, 6 miles from the Pacific ocean and 1,300 feet above sea level. This is a challenging site with harsh conditions. 100% clone 667. 40% stems, 5% whole cluster fermentation. Aged 11 months in 30% new and 70% seasoned French oak barrels. Debut single-vineyard bottling. Winemaker Jason Drew. · I really like the nose on this wine which sports black cherry jam, redwood and exotic Asian spices. Earthy and slightly smoky in the mouth with savory black cherry and black raspberry fruit in the background. Restrained but evident tannins need time to resolve and the wine as a whole needs another year in the bottle to show what it has. Very good now but will get better. Reviewed June 8, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Drew Fog-Eater Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 495 cases, $42. This wine is made from sites heavily influenced by the coastal fog. Fog- Eater is a boontling term used to describe a coastal dweller, someone living out on the margin. The blend varies with each vintage. In 2006, the blend is 65% Valenti vineyard (clone 667) and 35% Monument Tree Vineyard (clones 115,667,777). Four day cold soak, 20% stem retention, gravity racked two times, barrel aged in 35% new French oak and 65% seasoned French oak for 11 months. · Attractive ruby color. Flamboyant aromatics sporting spiced cherries, watermelon, freshsawn oak and a little barnyard. Plenty of lovable Pinot fruits, fine-grained tannins, admirable acidity, and a velvety texture. Doesn’t have the twinkle that the 2005 vintage had, but perfectly fine in its own right. Reviewed June 9, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Drew Fog-Eater Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 495 cases, $42. Made from two Anderson Valley vineyards heavily influenced by coastal fog. · This wine has the most flamboyant aromatics of the lineup with spiced cherries, watermelon, fresh sawn oak and a little barnyard. Plenty of lovable Pinot fruits, fine-grained tannins which could use some time to shed, and velvety texture. Doesn’t have the twinkle that the Weir has, but perfectly fine in its own right. Reviewed March 17, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Drew Fog-Eater Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 225 cases · Outrageous aromatics with bright cherries, cranberries and sandalwood notes. Luscious green tea and cherry jam on toast flavors with suede-like tannins on the persistent finish. A regal wine that is nicely balanced and complete. Reviewed June 3, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »