Tastings with Winemakers: Drew, Balo, Bink, Knez and Signal Ridge
The Madrones
During the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, I had the pleasure of staying at The Madrones, a welcoming,
newer, Mediterranean-styled lodging located in Philo on Highway 128. The two-story buildings house four
beautifully appointed guest suites. The photo below shows the picturesque view out the window of my suite
looking over the vineyard at neighboring Goldeneye. More photos of The Madrones follow.
There are four tasting rooms in The Madrones complex including Bink Wines, Drew Family Cellars, Knez
Winery and Signal Ridge Vineyards. Balo Vineyards and Domaine Anderson are across the street and
Goldeneye is next door. Besides these opportunities to taste wine, the many other winery tasting rooms that
dot Highway 128 in the Anderson Valley are only a short drive away.
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The Anderson Valley has never had any fine dining options other than the Boonville Hotel until the Stone and
Embers Restaurant opened in The Madrones. Chef and owner Patrick Meany has an impressive resume,
having been the chef du cuisine at Heritage House in Mendocino and stints at Bouchon in Las Vegas and Gary
Danko in San Francisco. The restaurant offers lunch on weekends and dinner Monday through Tuesday, with
both indoor and outdoor seating. California cuisine is featured including wood-fired pizzas of distinction,
including one topped with homemade turducken. If you go, you must try the mushroom ‘chicharrones’
sprinkled with Parmesan. 707-895-3471.
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Owner Jim Roberts is often on site, tending the beautiful gardens. He formerly lived on the property but is
converting his previous house into additional lodging suites to bring the total to nine. He has spent much of the
last twenty years building this delightful oasis in the Anderson Valley. With very few other lodging choices
(there are only about 30 rooms in the Anderson Valley), this is a valuable edition to the Anderson Valley
community that will surely attract many new wine enthusiasts. For reservations, visit the website at
www.TheMadrones.com, or phone 707-895-2955 and tell them “The Prince sent me.”
Tastings
Drew Family Cellars - Winemaker Jason Drew
It was a treat for me to accompany Jason to Burt Williams’ Morning Dew Ranch in the “deep end” of the
Anderson Valley. Since Burt stopped making wine after the 2009 vintage, he has given his favorite blocks to
Jason who crafts a superb vineyard-designate Morning Dew Ranch Pinot Noir.
At the Ranch, we met Burt and tasted 2013 barrel samples of Morning Dew Ranch Pinot Noir. One sample
was from the Rochioli Block of the vineyard which had more spice and pink flower character. The sample of
the “828” Block of the vineyard was more concentrated with slightly darker fruit and more tannin. It was
fascinating to walk the vineyard and see two different blocks, observe the soil and aspect differences, and have
Drew explain to me how the difference in terroir was translated into the two barrel samples we were tasting.
One interesting fact came out of our discussion. I am fascinated by whole cluster fermented wines and Jason
is a proponent. He told me that the advantages of whole cluster fermentation include, (1) a longer, slower
fermentation, (2) lower finished alcohol, (3) more aromatic interest, and (4) a better mouthfeel.
At the Grand Tasting, Drew was offering tastes of his excellent 2013 Mendocino Ridge Vin Gris of Pinot Noir.
He crafts a killer Albarino too. Drew wines are sold primarily through a mailing list at www.drewwines.com.
Bink Wines - Winemaker Deborah Shatzlein
Bink Wines is a partnership between winemaker Deborah Schatzlein and winegrower Cindy Paulson. With
degrees in chemistry and biology, Deborah’s expertise in winemaking belies her modest persona. She has a
background as a consulting environmental engineer experienced in cleaning up hazardous waste. She
developed the water treatment system at The Madrones. Schatzlein started making wine in a garage, then
worked at William Hill in the lab and cellar. She became part of the winemaking team at Cliff Lede and took
care of their environmental issues as well. A number of classes at University of California at Davis enriched
her winemaking knowledge. In 2001, she launched the Bink label and in 2005, became a winemaker full time.
The name “Bink” comes from the French for Syrah (“blkink” shortened to “Bink”), and seemed appropriate
since she began making dark red wines. Deborah crafts several varietals now, including Sauvignon Blanc,
Rosé (Lumineux), Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, and a Red Blend (Melange). The wines are produced across the
street at Balo Vineyards facility. The tasting room at The Madrones is open Wednesday through Monday from
11:00 to 5:00, and is staffed by Monika or Bruce. The Bink Wines website is www.binkwines.com. The Pinot
Noirs tasted were released the weekend of the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival.
2012 Bink Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 190 cases, $40. 100% de-stemmed whole berry native
fermentation, aged 16 months in 20% new French oak.
·
Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. An
easy drinking, elegant wine featuring cherries, cranberries, vanilla and cinnamon spice. The wine is very
forward, with nicely managed tannins, and a pleasingly smooth finish of some length.
Score: 90
2012 Bink Thomas T. Thomas Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 92 cases, $54. Sourced
from a 3-acre vineyard planted in 2008 adjacent Toulouse Vineyard. This is a monopole in that Bink takes all
the fruit from this vineyard owned by a former Treasurer of Genentech. 4 clones: 777, 115, Calera and Pommard. This
wine is 75% Pommard. Aged 16 months in 50% new French oak. A barrel selection.
·
Moderate reddish purple
color in the glass. Plenty to like in this wine with soaring aromas of black cherry and spice echoed on the mid
weight palate that offers additional notes of sassafras and cola. Very fresh tasting and impeccably crafted with
striking polish and harmony.
Score: 92
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2006 Bink Hawks Butte Vineyard Yorkville Highlands Syrah
14.9% alc., $25. This vineyard is farmed by
Cindy Paulson. It is located at 1,800 feet on a steep hillside. Most of the fruit is sold to Wells Guthrie of
Copain. 25%-30% whole cluster.
·
Very dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of blackberry,
cassis, pepper and tobacco. Broad shouldered but refined with an intense, long, fruit-driven finish that leaves a
hint of alcohol in its wake. An enjoyable, fully mature wine.
Score: 89
Knez Winery - Winemaker Anthony Filiberti
Knez Winery is based at Demuth Vineyard, acquired along with Cerise Vineyard by owner Peter Knez in 2007
and 2008. The two vineyards are on the wine grape growing edge, ripening late even by late-ripening
Anderson Valley standards. Filiberti was well acquainted with Demuth Vineyard when he joined Knez since he
made wine from that vineyard at Anthill Farms. The inaugural Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, a combination of
Demuth and Cerise fruit, was released with the 2009 vintage and a 2009 single-vineyard Demuth and Cerise
Pinot Noir followed in 2011.
Filiberti has moved to the head of the list of respected young California Pinot Noir winemakers. His resume
includes working with Lynn Penner-Ash and Josh Bergström in the Willamette Valley, followed by a stint at
Williams-Selyem and his continuing work with Anthill Farms.
The vineyard manager at Knez is Ryan McAllister who has farmed some of Mendocino’s most prestigious
vineyards including Morning Dew Ranch and Hein in Anderson Valley, Weir in Yorkville Highlands and Valenti in
Mendocino Ridge. Besides Demuth and Cerise vineyards, McAllister a;so manages the Knez Vineyard that
was planted in 2009 and fills the space between Demuth above and Cerise below. As a result, the hillsides
adjacent and below the winery site are a contiguous run of vineyard blocks. The vineyard has 4 acres of Pinot
Noir, 1 acre of Syrah and Viognier, and 1 acre of Pinot Gris, Friulano and Malavasia. 2012 is the first harvest
from Knez Vineyard (pictured below). All Knez Winery vineyards are farmed using organic and Biodynamic
practices.
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Considerable effort has been expended at the dry-farmed Demuth Vineyard which was planted 30 years ago
by the Demuth family. There are 7 acres of Pinot Noir planted to Wädenswil and Pommard clones and 8 acres
of Chardonnay entirely planted to old Wente clone. Located at 1,400 to 1,700 feet elevation, the soil is mostly
Bear Wallow-Wolfy with a fairly deep topsoil. Compost has been added, the cover crop improved, and yields
have been lowered. This vineyard has a smaller diurnal temperature variation (60º-80º) compared to vineyards
on the valley floor (50º-90º).
Cerise Vineyard has been featured at a previous Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Technical Conference and
discussed in detail (www.princeofpinot.com/article/1223/). Soils are primarily Bearwallow with zero to 3 feet of
top soil over rocky sandstone. There are 12 different blocks so there is a patchwork of terroir. Because of the
wind and poor soils, the vines struggle to be vigorous and produce small clusters and berries. Wines from this
vineyard tend to be less forward with more tannins.
The Knez tasting room is very relaxing and airy, and it was a pleasure to sit in the cool setting to taste with
Filiberti. The tasting room is open Thursday through Monday from 11:00 to 5:00 and is staffed by Filiberti as
well as James Wasson and Ryan McAllister. Knez wines are sold through a mailing list with some retail
distribution. Visit the website at www.knezwinery.com. The 2012 wines tasted below represent the fourth
release from Knez Winery. The first two wines have been released.
2012 Knez Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay
13.2% alc., 168 cases, $37. Chardonnay vines
planted in 1981. Unique small and large berries in same clusters. Harvest first two weeks in October. Native
fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation and aged in 30% new French oak. Bottled 3 weeks before this
tasting.
·
Aromas of lemon, pear and tropical fruits are echoed on the palate which is crisp and bright. Oak plays
a complimentary role in the background and the finish is filled with sea brine and electric, lemon-driven acidity.
Score: 92
2012 Knez Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 1,200 cases, $29. Two-thirds Cerise
(primarily Dijon clones), one-third Demuth (primarily Wädenswil). 50% whole cluster fermentation.
Aged in 25% new French oak.
·
Medium reddish purple color in the glass. The nose unfolds nicely
over time in the glass to reveal aromas of cherry, raspberry and herbs. Plenty of juicy red cherry
fruit shows up on the mid weight palate with a hint of spice. Very silky and sexy in the mouth, with
some finishing presence.
Score: 89
2012 Knez Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 500 cases, $42. 50% Pommard and
50% Wädenswil clones. Harvest Brix 20º-22º. 50% whole cluster, aged in 30% 4-year-air-dried Francois
Frères French oak barrels. The barrel management is intended to reduce tannins.
·
Moderately dark reddish
purple color in the glass. Highly perfumed nose with bright aromas of cherries and rose petals with a hint of
exotic spices. Very complex flavor profile including cherry, cranberry, dried herbs, and whole cluster spice.
More elegant, caressing and accessible than the 2012 Cerise with modest tannins and lasting flavors. Still
young, but this is clearly a great wine.
Score: 93
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2012 Knez Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., 650 cases, $42. Clones are primarily
Wädenswil, Pommard, Martini and David Bruce.
·
Dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose reflects
some whole cluster fermentation with aromas of exotic roses, Moroccan spices, black cherries and the slightest
oak. A mid weight, brawny wine with big shoulders., offering generous flavors of black cherry, black raspberry,
tar and animale. The fruit coats the mouth and provides uncommon intensity on the finish which offers a
modest rush of dry tannins. A distinctive wine that is terroir-driven and should improve over the next several
years in bottle.
Score: 91
2012 Knez Anderson Valley White Wine
13.8% alc., sold out. First crop from Knez Vineyard. Two-thirds
Pinot Gris and one-third Malavasia and Friulano. One neutral barrel.
·
A pleasurable sipping wine that is bright
and lively, with flavors of lemon, pear and slightly nutty oak.
Balo Vineyards - Winemaker Jason Drew, Assistant Winemaker Alex Crangle
Balo Vineyards is an 8-acre, family owned, organically farmed vineyard in Philo. Originally planted in 1998 by
the Mullins family, the vineyard contains five different Pinot Noir clones including 115, 777, “828,” Martini, and
Pommard on 101-14 rootstock. The soil profile is a combination of Perry Gulch loam and Boontling loam.
Situated on a river bench, the low-vigor soil contains considerable amounts of river rock. The site tends to
produce grapes that hold onto acidity.
Balo is the Latin word for “bleat,” as in bleating (“baa baa”) of sheep. The early settlers brought sheep with
them to the Anderson Valley to provide food and clothing, and the area soon became known for sheep herding
and wool production. The Balo estate vineyard is planted on a former sheep pasture.
The current winemaker is Jason Drew with Anthony Filiberti taking over in 2015. The tasting room on Highway
128 is open Friday through Monday from 11:00 to 5:00 (dog friendly with an enclosed dog recreation area).
The wines are available on the website at www.balovineyards.com. All the following reviewed wines are
released.
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2013 Balo Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Blanc
13.6% alc., pH 3.16, TA 0.72, 45 cases, $28. Clones
“828” and 777. Harvest Brix 21.7º. Whole cluster pressed. Vinified in 75% stainless and 25% French oak.
·
Scents and aromas of pear and strawberry with hints of peach and lemongrass. Bright, with juicy acidity.
Score: 88
2012 Balo Anderson Valley Pinot Gris
Sourced from Donnelly Creek Vineyard in Boonville.
Combination of 50% stainless and 50% neutral oak aging on lees.
·
Tropical fruit aromas lead to a brisk wine on
the palate featuring flavors of pear, tropical fruits, lees and nutty oak. The finish offers uplifting refreshment.
Score: 88
2013 Balo Estate Anderson Valley Vin Gris of Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., pH 3.18, TA 0.78, 110
cases, $22. Clones “828” and 777. Harvest Brix 21.2º. Whole cluster pressed. Vinified in 100%
stainless steel.
·
Light pink color in the glass. Delicate but appealing aromas of strawberry jam and
cherry. Easy to like for its juicy strawberry fruit flavor accented with a hint of herbs. Finishes very
dry and slightly tart.
Score: 89
2012 Balo Estate “Suitcase 828” Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.65, 163 cases, $38.
Harvest Brix 23.1º. Upright vines planted in 2003. 30% whole cluster fermentation, aged in 30% new French
oak.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Light to medium weight flavors of cherries, cranberries and
raspberries with a spicy accent. Vivid and juicy with electric acidity and a cranberry-driven, soprano finish.
Score: 89
2012 Balo Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.35, TA 0.69, 405 cases, $45. Clones are
777, 115, Pommard 5 and Martini. Harvest Brix 23.2º-24.5º. 30% whole cluster fermentation, aged in 30%
new French oak.
·
Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Invigorating aromas of black cherry, dark red
berry, forest floor and dried herbs. Comforting fullness and velvety on the palate, with a core of modest tannins
wrapped in layers of dark cherry and dark red berry fruits and a hint of spice. A complete wine with satisfying
mid palate attack, bright underlying acidity, and welcoming finishing acidity. The structure of the wine should
carry it for years.
Score: 92
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2012 Balo Avenging Angel Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.62, 152 cases, $55. 50%
Balo Vineyard and 50% Angel Camp Vineyard fruit (1 ton of each) produced to remember lost family members
and friends. Christian H. Maltby (deceased 9/11/01) and Edward P. Zalanick (deceased 1/3/04) are the
inspiration. Clones are Pommard 5, 777, 667, Swan and Wädenswil. Harvest Brix 23.8º. 50% whole cluster.
Aged in 15% new French oak. Alex Crangle is the winemaker.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass.
Shy aromas of red fruits, spice and sweet oak. A red cherry bombast that is bracing and very satisfying with a
good cut of acidity, a subtle compliment of oak, and a fine-grain, velvety mouthfeel. Everything is in its place in
this wine that should age nicely.
Score: 92
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I also tasted some 2013 Pinot Noirs in the cellar out of barrel and these wines are really special. As the
amount of whole cluster fermentation increases, the wines are the better for it, since the whole cluster lifts the
natural acidity characteristic of Balo Vineyard.
Signal Ridge Vineyard - Winemaker Nicole Scommegna, Assistant Winemaker
Stephanie Rivin
Roger Scommegna planted a vineyard on top of Cold Spring Mountain in the Mendocino Ridge AVA
overlooking Anderson Valley. The steep vineyard (32% slope) sits at an elevation of 2,642 feet, and is the
highest altitude vineyard in Mendocino, Sonoma and Napa counties. The winery’s motto is, “What altitude
tastes like.” The vineyard is located three ridge lines in from the Pacific Ocean and exposed to maritime
influence. Soils are relatively shallow and composed primarily of sandstone, clay and gravelly loam. Yields
can be less than 1 ton per acre.
Signal Ridge Vineyard is planted in 8 blocks with 6 clones and selections including Pommard, Wädenswil,
Swan, 115, 777 and “828.”
Signal Ridge produces wines from estate and sourced grapes, including Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, Pinot Gris
and White Zinfandel under the Signal Ridge label, and Pinot Noir and Zinfandel under the value priced
Watchtower label. Grapes are also sold to Bravium wines whose owner and winemaker, Derek Rohlffs
produces vineyard-designated Signal Ridge wines at the Dogpatch facility in San Francisco. Bravium will offer
9 bottlings in the 2013 vintage. The Signal Ridge tasting room in The Madrones is open from 11:00 to 5:00
daily. Wines are also available through the website store at www.signalridge.com.
The Signal Ridge wines tasted were 2013 barrel samples. All wines had some appeal. The plan is to blend
some barrels and bottle a few different blocks separately showing the diversity in the vineyard. This is a
fascinating project that I eagerly anticipate will produce unique PInot Noirs.
2013 Signal Ridge “828” Clone Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir 1 new barrel. Good concentration, juicy
blackberry and plum fruits with a modest oak sheen. Relatively low acidity.
2013 Signal Ridge Pommard Clone Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir 1 new barrel, oak fermented. Less
concentration, redder fruit, more spice.
2013 Signal Ridge Swan Selection Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir 1 new barrel. Red fruits, somewhat lean,
good acidity, strong tug of oak.
2013 Signal Ridge 777 Clone Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir 30% whole cluster. 1 three-year-old oak barrel.
Aromas of herbs, leaf and tobacco. Impressive concentration, plenty of spice, substantial tannin and a velvety
texture. Very appealing.
2013 Signal Ridge 115 Clone Block 7 Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir No whole cluster. Lovely aromas of
dark red cherries and raspberries. Middleweight dark red fruits with integrated fine-grain tannins.
2013 Signal Ridge 115 Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir No whole cluster. Intense and juicy with a very long
finish.
2013 Signal Ridge Block 3 Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir 30% whole cluster. Soaring aromas of black
cherry and spice. A stunning wine that can stand alone with a delicious core of black cherry and black
raspberry fruits, well-proportioned tannic backbone and a generous finish.
2012 Bravium Signal Ridge Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., pH 3.41, 144 cases, $39.
Unreleased. 7 heritage and Dijon clones. 20% whole cluster, native fermentation, aged 19 months in 30% new
French oak. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Aromas of cranberry, cherry and herbs build in intensity over time in the
glass. The mid weight core of dark cherry, red berry, rhubarb and mocha flavors fill the mouth with pleasure.
The prominent oak sheen needs time to integrate. The wine finishes with a delightful, acid-driven and cherryimbued
finish.
Score: 90