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 Vintage2010 Label 1 of 23 
TypeRed
ProducerAnthill Farms (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
VineyardTina Marie Vineyard
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionSonoma County
AppellationRussian River Valley

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2014 and 2020 (based on 6 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Tina Marie Vineyard on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 90.8 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 68 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by dbkitc on 8/31/2021 & rated 91 points: Delicious West Coast Pinot that is drinking perfectly in magnum. Lots of red fruit sweetness combined with medium body and good transparency. These guys do a great job crafting balanced, age worthy wines that are true to their origin at a decent tariff. Well done. Bought at winery. (91) (1718 views)
 Tasted by Acohen on 5/1/2020 & rated 91 points: Tart cherry and cranberry but nice balance (1846 views)
 Tasted by mdefreitas on 4/11/2020 & rated 92 points: Still quite youthful, although the structure is quite accessible. Strawberry, cola, cherries and baking spices. Not the most layered Pinot, but just "yummy". This was finished off pretty quicky, helped by the balance and low alcohol. (1899 views)
 Tasted by dbkitc on 2/29/2020 & rated 91 points: A delicious wine from Anthill. Slightly cloudy, light ruby color. The nose is bursting with bright cherry fruit and flowers. Light weight, lovely depth and real complexity. This is impressive. (91) (1943 views)
 Tasted by pgb67 on 1/6/2020 & rated 91 points: Holiday Parties 2019 (Dogwood Grove, Arlington, VA): Fragrant with an inviting nose of raspberries, crushed rocks, and subtle background forest notes. Medium-bodied but more flavorful that I expected given the naturalist reputation of the makers – tasted more fruit than rocks, which was a good thing on this day. (2176 views)
 Tasted by xwine on 2/15/2019: Very nice floral aromatics. Palate is a tad too much on the sweet cherry side of things, but with a nice punchy finish. Overall an enjoyable wine. (1718 views)
 Tasted by Acohen on 11/27/2018 & rated 91 points: Lighter style with cranberry and tart cherry (1568 views)
 Tasted by mjf@ulkner on 11/26/2018 & rated 91 points: Lightly colored. Cranberry and tart cherry notes. Definitely on the lighter bodied side of California Pinot. Crisp, almost crystalline in character- this still has a nice lively level of energy. Well priced for its quality. (1380 views)
 Tasted by Meerlust on 7/15/2018 & rated 87 points: Medium ruby red center with slight orange tint. On the nose, there is pure red fruit initially with a touch of earth with air. The palate is where this wine seems to struggle to deliver. Upon entry, tart cranberry puts a chokehold on the palate. There is an undercurrent of cherry and earth as well. The acidity is high and refreshing in this light-bodied wine. Unsurprisingly, this wine needs food to temper the tart profile and offset the wine’s acidity. Overall, this was not my favorite wine from Anthill Farms because it was so tart and seemed underripe, but it did show better with food because of the high acidity. (2030 views)
 Tasted by 1997cobalt on 4/21/2018 & rated 85 points: Window missed. Lost its crispness and fruit. Bummer (1961 views)
 Tasted by glou.sf on 12/24/2017 & rated 92 points: Red berries, cherries, spices, and a hint of cola on the nose. Rhubarb, more red berries, and sour cherries on the palate. Pretty soft tannins. Good finish. 92+ (2129 views)
 Tasted by Tubulus on 7/15/2017: Seems to have picked up some weight from the last bottle, still far from a bruiser, but maybe some secondary development has kicked in, giving it more earthy notes. Lasted 4 days re-corked in the fridge as well, so has potential to age a bit more. (2607 views)
 Tasted by sawira on 4/21/2017 & rated 92 points: #1 of 4. Pleasantly surprised with this bottle. Precise, excellent spice and carrying very pure elegant fruit, with a medium long, ample finish. Good for now and another 4-6 years? (2756 views)
 Tasted by mjf@ulkner on 4/11/2017 & rated 90 points: Medium bodied. Crisp fresh strawberry and cranberry fruit. There is a nice spice note on the finish. This is well integrated and drinking well today. (2413 views)
 Tasted by Tubulus on 7/14/2016: Wow, drank this the night after a RRV pinot from Arista and the two could not be any more different. This was light bodied, strawberry and cranberry, lots of acid, a bit more refreshing. (3384 views)
 Tasted by Counselor Chris on 5/3/2016 & rated 93 points: This wine just wanted to be my lover girl. Fresh red cherry, cranberry and strawberry flavors contain a pleasant bite and crispness. Light stem and spic mingles afterward. With weightlessness and beautiful purity, this wine takes to the sky on a natural high. From the moment I pulled the cork, it just wanted to rock my world. Ooh la la la. (3500 views)
 Tasted by 1997cobalt on 3/15/2016 & rated 92 points: Opened nicely. Very balance with crisp acidity and ripe fruit. Not overpowering but certainly robust. (3037 views)
 Tasted by DRS-Inc on 2/13/2016 & rated 91 points: Light weight, tart red berries, notably strawberry and raspberry, baking spice, mineral, soft tannins, medium acidity and short:medium finish. (2072 views)
 Tasted by kthornton78 on 2/2/2016: bright, fresh, drinking beautifully. nice aromatic complexity with crunchy red fruits and acid to provide lift. in a great place. (3065 views)
 Tasted by winopops3 on 1/24/2016 & rated 92 points: Still has pretty intense pure strawberry and raspberry flavors with a savoryness that adds a lot of interest. Tingly acidity with medium to long finish. Drinking great now but could go significantly longer. (2482 views)
 Tasted by Anthony Lombardi on 12/7/2015: Dark garnet color. Breathed in glasses around an hour before serving. Anthill Pinots show whole cluster spice & an approachability that is always refreshing. Beautiful balance of spiced red fruit, bright acid & supple tannin. Medium bodied & wonderfully fresh with bright acidity adding textural notes. High toned berries lead to tart cherry accented with tea-like aromatics. Hauntingly complex.

Finessed & driven as much by the structure as it is the fruit creating excellent tension on the palate. The definition & character shown in these different vineyards are evidence of the work here as the finished wines articulate a specific vision of Pinot Noir in California. There is fruit driving the wine, but there are so many other aspects to these wines defining both house style and terroir. I love what they do. (2821 views)
 Tasted by pjhr on 5/9/2015 & rated 91 points: Tart red cherry and spice on the nose with vibrant berries on the palate with lively acidity on the finish. (3046 views)
 Tasted by eoinhharkins on 4/20/2015: nice floral/high toned dark berries, with some earth and spice on the pose, similar palate though the flavor is more subtle with medium acidity and medium length finish (2870 views)
 Tasted by lolo66 on 4/4/2015 & rated 91 points: 1st bottle of the 2010 for me. quite tight first night. not showing much and came across as muted and somewhat thin. 2nd night more pronounced fruit, vivacity, and an nice nervy energy to the ripe berry fruit. nicely balanced. not over blown, but for the fruit lovers. (2853 views)
 Tasted by pjhr on 3/24/2015 & rated 91 points: Similar tasting note to previous bottle. (2857 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Sonoma...A Thrill a Minute (Jul 2013)
(Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Tina Marie Vineyard Green Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
By Allen Meadows
Burghound, January 2013, Issue #49
(Anthill Farms Pinot Noir - Tina Marie Vineyard Villages Red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2012, IWC Issue #162
(Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Tina Marie Vineyard Russian River Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (3/19/2012)
(Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Tina Marie Vineyard) Medium dark cherry red color; light brett, rosehips, tart cranberry nose; tart red fruit, rosehips, cranberry palate; medium-plus finish  91 points
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Burghound and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Anthill Farms

Producer Website

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

California

2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson

Sonoma County

Mendocino County

Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia

 
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