Dec 30, 2022
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Champ de Rêves
| Owner(s) | Barbara Banke |
| Web site | www.champderevesvineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
An artisan Anderson Valley winegrower producing exclusively Pinot Noir from Boon Ridge Vineyard. Situated at 1,300-2,000 feet above Boonville, the vineyard is a patchwork of small blocks planted to seven different Pinot Noir clones. Decomposed sandstone provides superb drainage while naturally restricting vine vigor and yields. The key blocks are planted to Dijon clones 667 and 777 and Pommard 5 clone.
The Boon Ridge Vineyard was formerly part of the Edmeades Winery and had not been developed for years. It was planted to Pinot Noir in 2006.
Winemaker Eric Johannsen has over a decade of experience in Pinot Noir winemaking in California including stints at Cuvaison, Williams Selyem and La Crema. He crafts the wine in Windsor, CA.
The wine is sold through a mailing list with limited retail distribution. The 2010 vintage yielded 3,200 cases but will double in 2011. A joint tasting room with Edmeades is located in Philo, housed in the original Edmeades winery site which has been closed to the public since 2002.
Articles About Champ de Rêves
2012 California Value Priced Pinot Noir First Team All-Americans (9.17 12/26/2012)
2014 California Value Priced Honorable Mention All-Americans (10.2 12/22/2014)
Anderson Noir Valley: The Festival (9.8 6/24/2012)
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival (9.26 6/23/2013)
More Anderson Noir Valley Pinot (9.8 6/24/2012)
Pinot Briefs (9.48 10/6/2014)
Press Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (9.44 7/28/2014)
Press Tasting of Current Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Releases (10.34 7/24/2016)
Results of Exclusive Press Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (Mendocino Fairgrounds) (11.6 7/8/2017)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.32 6/18/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Wines (9.36 1/20/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted Wines (9.38 2/22/2014)
Reviewed Wines
2013 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.57, 4, 995 cases, $45. Grapes
were sourced from the 85-acre Champ de Rêves Vineyard perched high above Boonville on Boone Ridge
planted to relatively young vines (2006). Clones 667, 777 and 115. 100% de-stemmed with 60% whole berries
fermented in open-top fermenters and a 5 to 6-day cold soak. Fermented 14 to 16 days on skins. Aged 9
months in 32% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Woody and vanilla aromas
dominate the black cherry fruit on the nose. Mid weight flavors of black cherry, blueberry and boysenberry are
framed by gritty tannins. Good mid palate richness with a modest finish. Not particularly complex, with drying,
firm tannins evident on the finish and more oak input than I prefer.
Score: 87.
Reviewed June 18, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 4,995 cases, $45. Clones 667, 777 and 115.
Aged 9 months in 32% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of
black cherry goodness with a hint of sweet oak. Darker fruited in a mid weight styled wine with flavors of purple
berries, blueberries, pomegranate and oak spice with a hint of edible flower. Soft and seamless on the palate
with integrated tannins and a subtle herbal oak thread in the background. 89. (This bottle is showing better
than one reviewed in June 2016 that scored 87)
Score: 89.
Reviewed July 24, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.57, 4,995 cases, $45.
Sourced from an 85 acre vineyard planted in 2006 at 1,400-1,800 feet elevation in shallow, sandy loam soils.
Clones 667, 777 and 115. 100% de-stemmed with 60% whole berries fed by gravity into open-top fermenters. 6
to 7-day cold soak, fermented 14-16 days on skins. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 32% new.
Winemaker Eric Johannsen.
·
Moderate ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, rose and complimentary
oak lead to a concentrated presence on the palate of darker fruits, prominent oak notes, some drying tannins,
and a sweet fruited finish.
Score: 88.
Reviewed July 8, 2017
ARTICLE »
2011 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $30. From Boone Ridge Vineyard.
·
Medium reddish purple color
in the glass. Very aromatic offering bright scents of dark cherries, fruit leather and spice.
Middleweight flavors of black cherry pie with undertones of cola, oak, spice and herbs with a well
tailored tannic backbone. The welcome burst of cherry on the juicy finish is backed by dry, ripe
tannins.
Score: 89.
Reviewed January 20, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.57, $40. Sourced from the
estate Boone Ridge Vineyard perched on the hills 1,500 to 1,800 feet above the town of Boonville, first planted
in 2006. The 85-acre site is a patchwork of small blocks and seven clones. Clones 667, 777 and 115. !00%
de-stemmed with 70% whole berries in tank. 5 to 7-day cold soak, open tank fermentation. Aged 9 months in
29% new French oak barrels. No racking out of barrel until blending before bottling. Winemaker is Eric
Johannsen.
·
Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Blackberry and blueberry fruits are featured on the nose
with hints of cut flowers and nutty, vanilla-infused oak. Medium to full-bodied flavors of ripe purple and black
fruits with toasty oak in the background. The refined tannins are well-matched and there is noticeably bright
acidity on the moderately long finish.
Score: 88.
Reviewed February 22, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Champ de Revés Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $40. Sourced from Boone Ridge Vineyard
above the town of Boonville planted in 2006. Clones 667, 777 and 115. 100% de-stemmed, aged 9 months in
29% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. An array of aromas including
blackberries, blueberries, cut flowers and oak lead to medium to full bodied flavors of ripe purple and black
fruits with a tug of toasty oak in the background. The bright acidity lifts the moderately long finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed July 28, 2014
ARTICLE »
2010 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5%
alc., $35.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Very
seductive aromas of fully ripened cherries with hints of spice,
leather and dark chocolate. Delicious core of black raspberry
and black cherry fruit framed by toasty oak and a bright cut of
acidity. The finish is crazy long: my notes say amazing!
Beautifully composed and balanced. Reminds me of a Russian River Valley
Pinot Noir in character but with better acidity typical of Anderson Valley.
Impressive debut.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2013 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.57, 4, 995 cases, $45. Grapes were sourced from the 85-acre Champ de Rêves Vineyard perched high above Boonville on Boone Ridge planted to relatively young vines (2006). Clones 667, 777 and 115. 100% de-stemmed with 60% whole berries fermented in open-top fermenters and a 5 to 6-day cold soak. Fermented 14 to 16 days on skins. Aged 9 months in 32% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Woody and vanilla aromas dominate the black cherry fruit on the nose. Mid weight flavors of black cherry, blueberry and boysenberry are framed by gritty tannins. Good mid palate richness with a modest finish. Not particularly complex, with drying, firm tannins evident on the finish and more oak input than I prefer. Score: 87. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 4,995 cases, $45. Clones 667, 777 and 115. Aged 9 months in 32% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of black cherry goodness with a hint of sweet oak. Darker fruited in a mid weight styled wine with flavors of purple berries, blueberries, pomegranate and oak spice with a hint of edible flower. Soft and seamless on the palate with integrated tannins and a subtle herbal oak thread in the background. 89. (This bottle is showing better than one reviewed in June 2016 that scored 87) Score: 89. Reviewed July 24, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.57, 4,995 cases, $45. Sourced from an 85 acre vineyard planted in 2006 at 1,400-1,800 feet elevation in shallow, sandy loam soils. Clones 667, 777 and 115. 100% de-stemmed with 60% whole berries fed by gravity into open-top fermenters. 6 to 7-day cold soak, fermented 14-16 days on skins. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 32% new. Winemaker Eric Johannsen. · Moderate ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, rose and complimentary oak lead to a concentrated presence on the palate of darker fruits, prominent oak notes, some drying tannins, and a sweet fruited finish. Score: 88. Reviewed July 8, 2017 ARTICLE »
2011 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $30. From Boone Ridge Vineyard. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Very aromatic offering bright scents of dark cherries, fruit leather and spice. Middleweight flavors of black cherry pie with undertones of cola, oak, spice and herbs with a well tailored tannic backbone. The welcome burst of cherry on the juicy finish is backed by dry, ripe tannins. Score: 89. Reviewed January 20, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.57, $40. Sourced from the estate Boone Ridge Vineyard perched on the hills 1,500 to 1,800 feet above the town of Boonville, first planted in 2006. The 85-acre site is a patchwork of small blocks and seven clones. Clones 667, 777 and 115. !00% de-stemmed with 70% whole berries in tank. 5 to 7-day cold soak, open tank fermentation. Aged 9 months in 29% new French oak barrels. No racking out of barrel until blending before bottling. Winemaker is Eric Johannsen. · Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Blackberry and blueberry fruits are featured on the nose with hints of cut flowers and nutty, vanilla-infused oak. Medium to full-bodied flavors of ripe purple and black fruits with toasty oak in the background. The refined tannins are well-matched and there is noticeably bright acidity on the moderately long finish. Score: 88. Reviewed February 22, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Champ de Revés Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $40. Sourced from Boone Ridge Vineyard above the town of Boonville planted in 2006. Clones 667, 777 and 115. 100% de-stemmed, aged 9 months in 29% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. An array of aromas including blackberries, blueberries, cut flowers and oak lead to medium to full bodied flavors of ripe purple and black fruits with a tug of toasty oak in the background. The bright acidity lifts the moderately long finish. Score: 89. Reviewed July 28, 2014 ARTICLE »
2010 Champ de Rêves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $35. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Very seductive aromas of fully ripened cherries with hints of spice, leather and dark chocolate. Delicious core of black raspberry and black cherry fruit framed by toasty oak and a bright cut of acidity. The finish is crazy long: my notes say amazing! Beautifully composed and balanced. Reminds me of a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in character but with better acidity typical of Anderson Valley. Impressive debut. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »