Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley – 2016
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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: Unfined, unfiltered
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
- Alcohol: 14.1%
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Tasting Notes
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A distinctive expression of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir that blends power and purity in the same glass. Explosive aromatics of crushed pomegranate seeds, dried lavender, plum and graphite are hallmarks of this 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 chewy tannins to give the wine a firm and energetic finish.
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Images
Reviews
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Arista Winery Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley – 2016 – Vinous – 92 Points
The 2016 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard is another attractive wine in this range. Hints of earthiness and game add complexity to match the energetic, focused feel of a bright, nuanced Pinot loaded with class and personality.
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Arista Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard – 2016 – Jeb Dunnuck – 94 Points
Coming from the Anderson Valley, the 2016 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard is another smoky, concentrated, classic wine from Arista. Notes of black raspberries, red currants, scorched earth, and forest floor, as well as some sweet spice, give way to a plump, rounded, beautifully textured Pinot Noir that has solid balanced, tons of fruit, and a great finish. Aged 11 months in 33% new French oak, it’s going to evolve nicely for at least 8-10 years.
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Arista Winery Pinot Noir Anderson Valley, Ferrington Vineyard – The Wine Advocate – 96+ Points
Pale to medium ruby in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard has a singular nose of dried violets, prosciutto, perfumed earth, potpourri and dried leaves with briary black fruits, bergamot and pipe tobacco—so many layers! Medium to full-bodied, it's firmly structured in the mouth with grainy tannins, juicy acidity and loads of savory layers...