WTN: Deux Amis Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

I always associate Dry Creek-based Deux Amis Winery with Zinfandel and, to a lesser extent, Petit Sirah. So, this Pinot from Anderson Valley was a nice surprise. Quite a lot of complexity on the nose, with red fruit, forest floor, oak caramel. This follows through on the palate, with nice red raspberry fruit, quite a hit of acidity, some forest floor (we did debate this...with John Chandler getting less earthyness than I did). What impressed me was the balance of the wine-not oppressively syrupy or goopy with fruit, real "pinot" character, and quite bright. Later on, the cherry fruit notes became more dominant but still very fresh tasting. Nice wine. We agreed Kevin should bring the wine into the shop.

Sounds like a really nice wine. I would have thought Alexander Valley to be quite warm for Pinot.

Shaji: See my edit.

Anderson Valley Anderson Valley Anderson Valley.

from the SF Chronicle:

Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS 2006 Deux Amis Donnelly Creek Vineyards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($34) Though this Healdsburg producer mostly focuses on Zinfandel, its 114 cases of Anderson Valley Pinot, aged for 17 months in French oak for a toasty hint, provided delicate mint on the nose, plus roasted strawberry and a citrus tang. A richness to it balances out the bright cherried core.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... z0nAEsTZk2

Anderson Valley makes tasty Pinot Noirs. Yes.