2012 ALDER SPRINGS VINEYARD Mendocino

Description

1 bottle available

The Alder Springs Vineyard is located 12 miles west of the Pacific Ocean, overlooking the town of Laytonville in the center of Mendocino County. The fruit for the Spell wines comes from three distinct blocks located at an elevation between 1700 to 1900 feet on a Southeastern facing slope. 3 Tiers, which makes up the majority of the blend, is planted to Dijon clone 459 and heritage clones of DRC and Calera. The Upper West Vineyard is planted to Dijon clones 667 and 777 and the Upper Vineyard is planted to Dijon clones 115, 667, and 777. The low-vigor, volcanic-based soils produce wines of distinctive old ‰world character.

Dark violet in color, aromas of blueberry, ripe raspberry, dried rose pedals, clay, smoke, peat, and ground sage spring from the glass. Youthful red fruit flavors, juniper berry, espresso and a mineral element are seamlessly balanced with powdery-dry tannins and lively acidity. Enjoyable now, this wine shows potential for age-ability and should reward those with the space and time to cellar a few bottles over the next decade.

Oak: 100% French oak; 40% new oak, 25% once used and 35% older.
Clones: Dijon 459, 115, 667, and 777, selections of Calera and DRC
Harvest Dates: 3Tiers – September 27, 2012, Upper and Upper West blocks – October 9, 2012
Bottled: August 8, 2013
Alc: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 148

Reviews

• Wine Enthusiast Score: 94

  Exotic fruit aromas and concentrated fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine an attention grabber at first sip. They hold the attention through a fine-grained mouthfeel and lingering finish. A focused core of black-currant flavor runs from first wiff to last impression. It needs time, so drink after 2017. Cellar Selection – JG

• Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Score: 89+

  Brilliant ruby-red. Spicy black raspberry and cherry-cola on the fragrant, mineral-tinged nose. Offers intense dark berry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and smokier with air. The mineral quality comes back strong on the finish, which is firmed by chewy, building tannins. Give this one some decanter time or a few more years of bottle age. (JR)

• Prince of Pinot Score: 89

  14.2% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.58, 149 cases, $50. Dijon 459, 115, 667 and 777, Calera and “DRC” selections. Aged in 40% new, 25% once used and 35% older French oak barrels. Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Pleasant array of aromas including cherry, berry, forest floor and oak spice. Discreetly concentrated but intensely flavored darker red berries and black plums with an earthy bent. The wine offers a generous acid backbone and balanced firm, dry tannins with a smooth texture. Very typical of this vineyard in my experience. About the same the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.

• Wine Spectator Score: 90

  Exuberant, delivering ripe, vivid blueberry, wild berry and raspberry flavors, with firm acidity and tannins. The clean, lingering aftertaste echoes the core fruitiness. Drink now through 2024. 149 cases made. – JL

• Burghound Score: 91

  A ripe but restrained nose features notes of black cherry, cassis and discreet spice nuances. There is good volume to the impressively vibrant and markedly delicious flavors that possess a velvety mouth feel as well as good mid-palate density before concluding in a complex, balanced and dusty finish. This is really quite attractive and fashioned in a style that will permit it to be enjoyed young yet age well too. Well worth a look as I very much like the depth and this is the best balanced wine in the range. 91/2017+

Techsheet

2012 ALDER SPRINGS VINEYARD Mendocino (.PDF)

Out of stock