AlderYarrow: Discovers the Anderson Vlly

Interesting article by AlderYarrow in Vinography:
https://www.vinography.com/2021/10/poised-for-greatness-tasting-the-evolution-of-anderson-valley
in which he discovers the AndersonVlly.
He highlights the rather isolationist sentiments that are pervasive there.
I was a bit surprised that he didn't mention in passing the Mendocino Ridge that stands above the AndersonVlly.

He notes the original plantings of PinotNoir in the AV by the Pasadena cardioligist Dr.Donald Edmeades. But the real credit belongs
to his son, Deron, who founded EdmeadesWnry in 1972. Those first wines were pretty dreadful. In fact, in my group, this is
an "Edmeades wine" or this is a "Husch wine", became our code-word for a badly made wine. But things drastically changed
when JedSteele became the winemaker at Edmeades. Fresh out of UC/Davis. His Zins from the Mendocino Ridge were as good as any
being made then in Calif. One of the greatest Calif Cabs I ever had was the CortiReserve '78 made by (his close friend) Jed from AndersonVlly
grapes.

Alas, no mention of our own Casey Hartlip in the article who farms OrdwayFarms.

Anyway, a fairly interesting article, though Alder may be a bit late to the game.
Tom

[David M. Bueker]

Alder Yarrow scores every wine he tastes within such a narrow range that it’s pointless!

I read the article yesterday, Tom. And IMHO Alder is late to the game, but I learned a few new tidbits.

We have found several Anderson Valley vintners to be a consistent source of value. Definitely Navarro; we haven't had a bad bottle but they seem to excel at PN and Alsatian whites. They sometimes do a mystery pack in January to clear out inventory. Rather fun, definitely well-priced. And often they have one-cent shipping for a case.

Another vintner we favor is Handley. I purchased 4 bottles, 3 of which are AV, last year. This was after Milla Handley passed away. One of her daughters is carrying on the brand. Nice selection in a broad range of prices.