A Personal Visit to the Anaba Tasting Room, Sonoma, CA.

Tasted Tuesday, January 25, 2011 by Mike Kopanski with 412 views

Introduction

This was the first stop on a 5 day journey into wine country that included ZAP, for myself and two wine loving companions from Columbia, SC; Forest Evans, and his wife Jennifer Root. We had just flown into SFO, rented a car, stopped at In and Out for a burger, and were ready to taste. We were glad we did. As usual we tasted everything that wasn't nailed down. These are the wines I had notes for.

Flight 1 (6 Notes)

  • 2009 Anaba Coriol White 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    So rarely do we get the great luck and experience to taste a wine like this. Only available at the winery, this is a graceful, crisp, hand crafted small lot wine with tons of character. They have found a way to vividly express the acidity of the Grenache Blanc with the backbone and character of the white Rhone varietals, using a combination of stainless and barrel fermentation, with some barrel aging. The result is a complex medium bodied, adequately acidic, layered fruit forward wine with a mineral and floral nose and a grapefruit, tropical fruit finish. I especially appreciate the obvious white pear on the nose and palate.

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  • 2008 Anaba Chardonnay 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Tasted at the winery tasting room as my second taste of the day, at first I thought this was a little closed. As I tasted through the glass my wine loving receptors perked up. It doesn't attack you, it is rather subtle, but also probably better described as elegant. Lots going on here with whole cluster pressing, some stainless, some barrel fermentation, some mlolactic, some lees stirring, and 11 months in oak. The result is a round, layered, and complex wine, with some ripe fruit forward, and some balancing green apple acidity. Very nice pineapple, papaya, and pear fruits. The finish features some spice, minerals and a touch of vanilla. I suspect this wine has the stuff to get to 90 points, I caught it a little young.

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  • 2008 Anaba 2008 Sonoma County Red 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    A tasty little blend from people who have a nice touch with Rhone Varietals. 52% Zinfandel, 36% Grenache, and 12% Syrah, the Grenache definitely makes it's presence known with a nice earthiness not characteristic in California. The jammy cherry fruit is enhanced by a dash of brown spice, and some black pepper. On one hand, there are smooth rounded edges, some characteristic of the Zinfandel grape, and some from the oak treatment. On the other hand, there are some pretty serious, but very sophisticated tannins. Almost 15% alcohol, there is some heat, but it all works together.

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  • 2007 Anaba Pinot Noir J MCK Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    This is one of those wines that is so balanced, it almost tastes sweet in the mouth. This vineyard produces grapes with a unique brown spice element, probably Davis clones. The fresh dark cherry fruit flavors reminds me of the orchards in Michigan where I worked in the summer. I did not like this as much as their Sonoma Coast Pinot, which had a sharper edge to the fruit. I think the 17 months of oak rounded things out nicely, but subdued the fruit a little. Extremely balanced , the 14.5% alcohol is very well accompanied by the tannin and acid. Has a very intense berry finish. I think some more time in the bottle would help.

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  • 2008 Anaba Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    This remindeds me more of the fountain cherry cola we used to get as a kid than any Pinot noir I have ever sniffed. Also got some vanilla and black sweet cherry on the nose, with just a touch of violets. On the palate, the very enticing and intense black cherry is backed up with ripe blueberry. And there is still the cola. There is a balanced intensity and sharpness in the mouth that is makes you want to take another sip. Lively, fruity finish.

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  • 2008 Anaba Coriol 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    This one is not for everyone, but you have to respect their attempt at something unique. This producer specializes in Rhone varietals. They have a nice touch with bringing out the flavors and aromas we have learned to respect from the Rhone area of France, in conjunction with some California up front fruitiness. Probably a little too much of that rustic, geranium flavor for my taste. The black fruit is jammy. There is a very nice pepper and spice component. There are loads of tannins that are ripe and silky, but pretty much dominate the finish. Plenty of oak rounds everything out. I'm certain several years of carefully stored bottle age would integrate and transform these flavors into something even more special.

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