FEL Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2020
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This 2020 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is a reflection of the appellation’s excellent flavors, aromatics, and textures. First impressions of black cherry and rose petal on the nose open into mission fig and a citrus character. The palate is focused and delicately layered, with darker notes of clove and cola mingling with bright raspberry and currant. Anderson Valley’s spice shows in the finish, with a familiar cedar and sous-bois, lifted to the last moments by bergamot and the return of the beautiful rose character with which the wine opens.
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Showstopping fruit and complexity animate this full-bodied but creamily smooth, elegant wine. It's soft around the edges but deep in the middle, oozing raspberries, black cherries, basil and black tea. Although blended from different parts of the valley, this bottle competes well with FEL's vineyard designates.
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The letters in FEL represent Florence Elsie Lede, Proprietor Cliff Lede’s mother, a home winemaker who provided the early inspiration for Lede’s love of wine.
Growing up in Alberta, Canada, Cliff remembers the tulip as signifying the end of winter, bringing with it a freshness and excitement of warmer days ahead. The FEL label, featuring an illustration of an opening tulip, is a tribute to Florence’s passion for gardening.
Anderson Valley, located in Mendocino County just above Sonoma County, is one of California’s coolest AVAs, allowing it a long growing season. Only 15 miles long, the region makes a slice eastward through the mountains, from the frigid Pacific Ocean. Dramatic diurnal temperature variations here preserve grape acidity and thus freshness in the finished wines. These are prime conditions for growing Pinot Noir, and the valley produces many fine versions. Characteristics of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir typically include crisp acidity, cranberry and strawberry notes as well as earthy notes of forest floor and mushroom.
Still Pinot Noir, however, is only part of the story. Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, are also grown for Anderson Valley’s exceptional sparkling wines. Produced via the traditional method, these offer a classic toasty note from lees aging, bright, complex fruit notes and a clean, refreshing character.