Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County, USA

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While Anderson’s fame is for their brilliant Bordeaux varietal wines, the winery also produces some fine whites, including a Sauvignon Blanc they accessed from Lake County in 2008 and Napa Valley in 2009. Both are well above average Sauvignons displaying lots of lemon grass and grapefruit notes with the Lake revealing more floral and flint characteristics. Both are crisp, mid-weight whites that should drink nicely for another year or two. Tucked away in the sometimes seemingly forgotten Conn Valley, this winery is run with considerable gusto by Todd Anderson and his winemaker Mac Sawyer. This is an undeniable source of very complex and potentially age worthy wines. As did his father, Gus, Todd Anderson has consistently done well with Chardonnay from a cool climate site in the Green Valley south of the city of Napa. The 2008 and 2009 Chardonnay Fournier are both non-malolactic, barrel-fermented Chardonnays that have lots of minerality and little evidence of wood. They are made from the newer Dijon Clone rather than the clone preferred by most of the outstanding practitioners of California Chardonnay, the Old Wente and occasionally the Mt. Eden clone. The Right Bank cuvee is made from Merlot, which usually dominates, and the rest Cabernet Franc. This offering has been a winner since its debut release and it continues to be one of Napa Valley’s most interesting wines. My favorite offering from Todd Anderson is the Eloge cuvee, a distinctive effort of first-growth quality. One would think this wine would be somewhat Medoc-like as it is generally one-half to two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon combined with a significant amount of Cabernet Franc. However, one can’t really compare it to a Medoc since there is never that much Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux Medocs and there is not that much Cabernet Sauvignon in any St.-Emilion or Pomerol. A project I had not tasted before is the small lot (500-750 cases) of the Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label. Aged longer in barrels than its siblings, it is meant to be a super-premium wine. If you have not yet discovered the wines from this nearly 28 acre vineyard tucked away a few miles east of the famed Meadowood Resort, it’s time.Tel. (707) 963-8600; Fax (707) 963-7818

While Anderson’s fame is for their brilliant Bordeaux varietal wines, the winery also produces some fine whites, including a Sauvignon Blanc they accessed from Lake County in 2008 and Napa Valley in 2009. Both are well above average Sauvignons displaying lots of lemon grass and grapefruit notes with the Lake revealing more floral and flint characteristics. Both are crisp, mid-weight whites that should drink nicely for another year or two. Tucked away in the sometimes seemingly forgotten Conn Valley, this winery is run with considerable gusto by Todd Anderson and his winemaker Mac Sawyer. This is an undeniable source of very complex and potentially age worthy wines. As did his father, Gus, Todd Anderson has consistently done well with Chardonnay from a cool climate site in the Green Valley south of the city of Napa. The 2008 and 2009 Chardonnay Fournier are both non-malolactic, barrel-fermented Chardonnays that have lots of minerality and little evidence of wood. They are made from the newer Dijon Clone rather than the clone preferred by most of the outstanding practitioners of California Chardonnay, the Old Wente and occasionally the Mt. Eden clone. The Right Bank cuvee is made from Merlot, which usually dominates, and the rest Cabernet Franc. This offering has been a winner since its debut release and it continues to be one of Napa Valley’s most interesting wines. My favorite offering from Todd Anderson is the Eloge cuvee, a distinctive effort of first-growth quality. One would think this wine would be somewhat Medoc-like as it is generally one-half to two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon combined with a significant amount of Cabernet Franc. However, one can’t really compare it to a Medoc since there is never that much Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux Medocs and there is not that much Cabernet Sauvignon in any St.-Emilion or Pomerol. A project I had not tasted before is the small lot (500-750 cases) of the Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label. Aged longer in barrels than its siblings, it is meant to be a super-premium wine. If you have not yet discovered the wines from this nearly 28 acre vineyard tucked away a few miles east of the famed Meadowood Resort, it’s time.Tel. (707) 963-8600; Fax (707) 963-7818

The whites merit attention, including a grapefruity, fresh, lively Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County. The 2007 is the pick of the three vintages I tasted, but these are all classic California Sauvignons with a lot of fruit but good, zesty acidity and admirable freshness. It’s safe to say that Todd Anderson and winemaking assistant Mac Sawyer are flying on all cylinders with their Bordeaux varietals at this winery tucked away in the Conn Valley. They also make some Pinot Noir which I am decidedly less enthusiastic about, and some Petite Sirah which is promising. The Chardonnays are made with no malolactic fermentation, but have surprising weight, richness, and aging potential. Think of them as California versions of Corton-Charlemagne. There are three red wine cuvees made – the Right Bank, based on the Pomerol concept of a Merlot-dominated wine with some Cabernet Franc in it, the pure Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which has long been the flagship wine of the estate, and of course, the Eloge, which is more of a Medoc-like blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, about 20-25% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot. These are all sensational wines, all worth tracking down in the marketplace. There are approximately 1,000 cases of the Right Bank. It is usually a blend of two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Franc. The Eloge, normally a blend of approximately 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, is another wine representing approximately 1,000 cases.Tel. (707) 963-8600; Fax (707) 963-7818

The whites merit attention, including a grapefruity, fresh, lively Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County. The 2007 is the pick of the three vintages I tasted, but these are all classic California Sauvignons with a lot of fruit but good, zesty acidity and admirable freshness. It’s safe to say that Todd Anderson and winemaking assistant Mac Sawyer are flying on all cylinders with their Bordeaux varietals at this winery tucked away in the Conn Valley. They also make some Pinot Noir which I am decidedly less enthusiastic about, and some Petite Sirah which is promising. The Chardonnays are made with no malolactic fermentation, but have surprising weight, richness, and aging potential. Think of them as California versions of Corton-Charlemagne. There are three red wine cuvees made – the Right Bank, based on the Pomerol concept of a Merlot-dominated wine with some Cabernet Franc in it, the pure Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which has long been the flagship wine of the estate, and of course, the Eloge, which is more of a Medoc-like blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, about 20-25% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot. These are all sensational wines, all worth tracking down in the marketplace. There are approximately 1,000 cases of the Right Bank. It is usually a blend of two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Franc. The Eloge, normally a blend of approximately 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, is another wine representing approximately 1,000 cases.Tel. (707) 963-8600; Fax (707) 963-7818

The whites merit attention, including a grapefruity, fresh, lively Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County. The 2007 is the pick of the three vintages I tasted, but these are all classic California Sauvignons with a lot of fruit but good, zesty acidity and admirable freshness. It’s safe to say that Todd Anderson and winemaking assistant Mac Sawyer are flying on all cylinders with their Bordeaux varietals at this winery tucked away in the Conn Valley. They also make some Pinot Noir which I am decidedly less enthusiastic about, and some Petite Sirah which is promising. The Chardonnays are made with no malolactic fermentation, but have surprising weight, richness, and aging potential. Think of them as California versions of Corton-Charlemagne. There are three red wine cuvees made – the Right Bank, based on the Pomerol concept of a Merlot-dominated wine with some Cabernet Franc in it, the pure Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which has long been the flagship wine of the estate, and of course, the Eloge, which is more of a Medoc-like blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, about 20-25% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot. These are all sensational wines, all worth tracking down in the marketplace. There are approximately 1,000 cases of the Right Bank. It is usually a blend of two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Franc. The Eloge, normally a blend of approximately 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, is another wine representing approximately 1,000 cases.Tel. (707) 963-8600; Fax (707) 963-7818