Highly Allocated American Wines: Anthill Farms, Martinelli, Corison and Paul Hobbs
This week we are lucky to get a big selection of small production, blue chip, allocated wines from California. Some of which I haven't been offered before such as Martinelli and several wines from Anthill Farms.
- Some are in stock others are coming in shortly
- 10% off 6, 15% off 12
Note on Anthill Farms Pinot Noir:
There has been a tendency lately to think of American Pinot as either big ripe and voluptuous or the trite phrase "Burgundian––" ethereal, delicate and earthy. Here's the thing: to love wine is to love diversity. There is a California style of Pinot which I admit at times can be over the top and gooey, but when it's on, it's on and Anthill Farms is Donkey Kong. I have always loved their style of Pinot no matter how much Burgundy my palate has tried. There is something so naturally unique and Californian about them which really puts a big fat finger on the map of wine. Diversity is our strength!
2016 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir
Newsletter Price: $38.99
92 Points Vinous: The 2016 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is endowed with terrific depth in this vintage. Beautifully expressive and resonant, the 2016 offers notable richness in its succulent red cherry, plum and spice nuances. This open-knit, juicy Pinot will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is a fabulous appellation-level Pinot.
2016 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir, Baker Ranch
Newsletter Price: $52.99
93 Points Vinous: The 2016 Pinot Noir Baker Ranch is one of the more exotic wines in the range. Orange peel, star anise, rose petal, spice and mint add aromatic nuance to a brilliant Pinot endowed with tons of energy. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the Baker Ranch is beautifully persistent and delineated, not to mention impeccable in its overall balance. The 30% whole clusters are evident, but also nicely integrated.
2016 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir, Peters Vineyard (Extremely Limited)
Newsletter Price: $52.99
91 Points Vinous: The 2016 Pinot Noir Peters Vineyard is a powerful, brooding wine. Crushed flowers, tobacco and earthy notes give the Peters a distinctly dark feel. In this tasting, the Peters is decidedly reticent and tightly wound.
2016 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir, Tina Marie Vineyard
Newsletter Price: $52.99
91 Points Vinous: The 2016 Pinot Noir Tina Marie Vineyard is a wine of subtlety and finesse. Lifted and understated, the Tina Marie is beautifully persistent on the palate, with pretty floral and savory notes that give the wine its aromatic top notes. Bright red cherry, plum and rose petal linger in this mid-weight, tightly wound wine.
2015 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir, 'Abbey-Harris'(Extremely Limited)
Newsletter Price: $56.99
94 Points Vinous: Voluptuous, silky and super-expressive, especially within the context of the year. All the elements fall into place in an effortless, supple Pinot endowed with real class and elegance... all finesse. This is a superb showing
2015 Martinelli Chardonnay, 'Bella Vigna'
Newsletter Price: $42.99
92 Points WE: This wine has inviting caramel-apple aromatics, which follow along a subdued palate of ripe texture and oak. A brightness of orange blossom and tangerine add freshness and vibrancy to the lush fig-filled surroundings, dotted in nutmeg
2016 Martinelli Pinot Noir 'Bella Vigna'
Newsletter Price: $44.99
91 Points WE: Thick and concentrated in blueberry and black cherry jam, this is a robustly ripe, powerfully built wine, full of intensity. Toasted oak and threads of black tea and black pepper add savory complexity to the fruit.
2015 Corison Cabernet Napa Valley
Newsletter Price: $104.99
Jeremy Notes: One of the last classic styles of Cabernet coming from the U.S. Very few like it and almost metaphorical for it's traditional methods. I have had numerous ones with over a decade of age which develop samurai like razor focus as I would expect to see from certain producers back in the 70s and 80s like Dominus and Stag's Leap before the metamorphosis into suck. Cathy Corison is the winemaker and face of this brand who says of the 2015: "The juicy flavors lean more toward the purple and black end of the Cabernet spectrum in 2015, with cassis, black plums and marionberries dominating. With time in the glass, Bing cherries and blueberries emerge for a symphony of flavor. A pretty violet and dried rose perfume is beginning to develop, and savory spice notes and lifting minerality round out this charmer. "
97 Points WE: This understated, elegant study in the variety opens in beguiling aromas of floral rose before opening into a finely made, structured and gracefully constructed wine that's fully in balance. Leather, black cherry and dark chocolate highlight a midpalate of finely polished, tamed tannin and integrated oak. *Cellar Selection*
2015 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon, 'Beckstoffer - To Kalon',
Newsletter Price: $579.99
98 Points WA: Deep purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard opens with seducing notes of crushed black currants, blueberry compote and dried mulberries with hints of spice cake, sandalwood, dried roses and star anise plus a touch of smoked meats. Full-bodied, rich, ripe and densely packed, the opulent fruit is superbly framed by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with lingering spice layers. 758 cases were made.
2014 Continuum Proprietary Red, 'Estate'
Newsletter Price: $224.99
Jeremy Notes: Some of my traditionalists on this newsletter might thumb their nose at me for saying this, but I love this wine and believe it is nowhere near the modern embodiment that people might expect due it to being made by the Mondavis. I very much echo James Suckling below who argues this is like the Mondavi wines where they used to be in the 70s. Opus One this is not. Yes, it is California wine at the end of the day with big, bold flavors but this has some serious staying power and can age like a beast,
JS 99 Points: Fabulous aromas of blueberries, blackcurrants, sage and mint. Lead pencil and graphite, too. Full body and ultra-fine tannins that are slowly transformed to ripe and beautiful fruit. Super polished and textured. Great finish. Drink in 2022, but it's hard not to drink now. This harkens back to the great Mondavi reserves of the 1970s in texture and construction.