2016 Foursight Wines, Pinot Noir, Clone 05, Charles Vineyard, Anderson Valley.
Joe Webb and Kristy Charles of Foursight Wines have crafted a gorgeous set of new releases from their estate Charles Vineyard in the heart of the Anderson Valley and especially great is this 100% Pommard clone cuvee known as the “Clone 05” which is a serious, but wonderfully dream Pinot with heightened perfume, smooth red fruits and with subtle spice, mineral and well judged wood treatment to highlight purity and terroir. Webb, ex assistant winemaker at Joseph Swan and Charles made this “Clone 05” from selected Pommard blocks in the vineyard and a careful selection of barrels in the winery, all with native yeast primary and natural malos, using about 25% whole cluster, plus 75% de-stemmed, but whole berry grapes, everything hand down in the vineyard and in the cellar with hand punch downs, making for a small to wine, with only 262 cases, of elegance and with a gentile character, but with hints of raw integrity, earth and silky tannins. The 2016 saw about 40% new French oak, which is surprising as it doesn’t show too much in oak on the palate, except for faint sweet/smoky note on the finish and a hint on the nose, for it is the fruit that really shows up here, plus floral tones and a slight chalky stony element, both of which add to the depth and pleasure in this exceptionally pretty wine. A nice sense of richness comes through with air, but the acidity and finesse keeps things nicely restrained, the medium bodied palate feels lovely, satiny and graceful with layers of black cherry, raspberry, plum and strawberry fruits along with the mentioned earth, wild herbs, vanilla, rose petal tea, cinnamon and it finishes with a touch of blood orange, pomegranate and a deeper sensation of impact that makes this wine stand out. This wine has a very balanced 13.9% natural alcohol, yes ripe and textured, but with fine detail and energy, this is impressive stuff from Foursight, super for mid term cellaring, though brilliant now, drink for the next 5 to 7 years.
($54 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive