2014 County Line, Rose of Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley.
Eric Sussman’s County Line wines are some of the best deals in the state for quality varietal wines, especially his Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Chardonnay, but don’t miss his new 2014 Rose, it is a stunner with bright fruit intensity and vibrant crisp refreshment. The man who brought you Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir and Syrah from cool climate sites, almost before anyone cared for such things, Sussman, has crafted a line of fine wines from cooler vineyards from western Russian River/Sonoma Coast to Anderson Valley/Mendocino, he sources from organic sites and his winemaking is gentile and mostly natural with very low sulphur and a light touch on the wood, and his natural levels of alcohol are lower than most, he is right up there with Littorai, Copain and Hirsch in both quality and style. The 2014 Rose of Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley is energy filled and vivid with raspberry, strawberry and red citrus along with mineral/wet stone notes, watermelon, peppery spices and a hint of zesty grapefruit. This is very flavorful and will be a smart Spring and Summer charmer, I can easily see myself quaffing a massive amount of this brisk rose on the warm days ahead, and now, this is really lovely orange/pinkish hued wine, drink from 2015 to 2017, very very tasty and lip smacking juice!
($22 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive