Migration Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2009

My intrroduction to Anderson Valley Pinot Noir was the high flying Goldeneye of Duckhorn Vineyards, poured for us by friends who live in northern California and visit the Anderson Valley regularly. Goldeneye is priced a bit above my comfort level, but Duckhorn also produces this Migration Pinot from Anderson Valley fruit. It sells for about $40 a bottle and has many of the same flamboyant qualities.

Medium light Pinot color. The flamboyant scents waft from the bottle from the minute the cork is popped. Cherry, pomegranate, gingery spice and balsamic. More flamboyance on the palate:  complex and concentrated flavors of fruit and spice. Zesty acids. Ripe wild strawberries on the finish along with a hint of black pepper and citrus zest. Although the wine has undoubtedly lost some of its oak-derived qualities, the Anderson Valley fruit remains persistent and lovely at 12 years of age.