Mary Elke Anderson Valley Boonville Barter Pinot Noir, 2013

 I have had many exceptional wines from Mary Elke's Donnelly Creek Vineyard, some under the Elke Blue Diamond and others from Jim Clendenen's Ici/La Bas label. This Boonville Barter is the less expensive offering of the estate, from grapes grown elsewhere on the Elke property. It is made for every day consumption, but, as she told me, is also good with 10 to 15 years of bottle age.

Light ruby, clear and bright. Expansive aromas of wild flowers and fresh red berry fruit. Has the tartness of red raspberries shading to cranberries. Light bodied. Ample acidity to balance the ripe fruit. Pleasantly dry finish.

With sadness, I must report that Mary Elke closed shop in 2015, leaving only pleasant memories and stashed away bottles in the cellar. 2013, she reported, was a good vintage to lay away.