Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley – 2017
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Vineyard Profile
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The Ferrington Vineyard, one of California’s most acclaimed Pinot Noir Vineyards, sells to eight wineries and is tucked away just off Highway 128 in Booneville, a small town in the heart of the Anderson Valley. Though 25 acres of the vineyard are planted to multiple clones of Pinot Noir, we have selected a block in the vineyard that was planted to the Pommard clone because of its proven legacy in this cold climate appellation. Pommard is one of the oldest Pinot Noir clones found in California and is favored by many winemakers for its ability to produce outstanding wines without the help of other blending clones. It is respected for its reliable color, intense fruit, and fragrant spice components. The vineyard has a gentle south-facing slope, and has decomposed sandstone and clay soils with three to four feet of topsoil. This vineyard was originally planted in the late 1960s although some of the 25 acres of Pinot Noir vines were planted in 1998 and some more recently.
- Vineyards: Ferrington Vineyard
- Vine Age: 20-50 years
- Clones: Pommard
- Soil: Decomposed sandstone and clay, with three to four feet of topsoil
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Vinification
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Cold grapes arrive at the winery early in the morning after having been picked at night. The clusters are sorted by hand and then destemmed into small, open-top fermenters. The juice is allowed to warm gradually and naturally in the fermenter. Given that all of the wines are made with native yeasts and are not inoculated, this cold-soak period can vary between 5-8 days depending on how long it takes these native populations to build up and begin fermentation. Pinot Noir fermentations are kept below 85 degrees. The wines always go through malolactic fermentation. The wines then spend the next 11 months in barrel, and the wine is racked clean just prior to bottling.
- Aging: 11 months in barrel
- Filtration: Unfiltered
- Fining: Unfined
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
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Tasting Notes
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The garnet-hued 2017 Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir is a distinctive expression of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir that blends power and freshness in the same glass. Explosive aromatics of crushed pomegranate seeds, dried lavender, plum, and graphite are hallmarks of Ferrington Vineyard and are present in abundance. The intensely floral nose is accompanied by flavors of bright red raspberry, black pepper, toasted herbs, and tart Bing cherries. A tangy, persistent acid backbone blends with almost effervescent tannins to give the wine a firm and energetic finish. Peak drinking window: 2020 through 2030.
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Images
Reviews
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Arista Winery Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley – 2017 – The Wine Advocate – 92 Points
Pale ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard has earthy aromas of dried herbs, damp soil and mushroom powder with notes of graphite, dried flowers and tea leaves over a core of crunchy blackberries and cranberries. The palate is medium-bodied and intensely minerally, with very juicy, fresh fruit character, finishing a tad coiled. Give it more time in bottle.
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Arista Winery Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley – 2017 – Wine Spectator – 92 Points
Lusciously spiced, with lively cherry tart and dried raspberry flavors, backed by crunchy acidity. Mocha hints emerge midpalate, leading to a finish flush with creamy richness. Drink now through 2024.
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Arista Winery Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley – 2017 – Jeb Dunnuk – 93+ Points
A different beast from the Russian River releases, the 2017 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard comes from the Anderson Valley and is one of the fresher, more Burgundian styled wines in the lineup. It offers notes of forest floor, savory red and black fruits, flowers, and sappy herbs. Tight, vibrant, and juicy on the palate, with good acidity and silky tannins, it needs air to show at its best, and my money is on it benefiting from 2-3 years of bottle age.
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Arista Winery Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley – 2017 – Vinous – 90+ Points
The 2017 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard shows gorgeous presence and terrific depth, but it is also a touch reduced at this stage. Ripe red cherry, pomegranate, espresso, mint, spice and hard candy are front and center. This is an especially lush Anderson Valley Pinot.