2007 Anthill Farms-Timber Crest Farms-Dry Creek-Sonoma County: From vines planted in the 1960’s this was one of Anthill’s “one off” wines. Dark purple core with some lightening towards the edge. Nose- Black currant, brambly berry, no heat, redwood/spruce aromas. Rosemary/Bay Leaf and spicy nose, I find in Dry Creek Cabs. Briny black olive. red currant
Taste- Bright mouth watering acidity- lip smacking. Under-ripe black berry, no greenness but shows some nice tannic grit. The tannin may need some time to integrate. Rough around the edges in a pleasant way, think steak wine. The tannins are pretty copious and dry out your cheeks. Altogether a fun wine at a good price $25, too bad they didn’t do this bottling again.
The fruit hails from a plot of vines on the Timber Crest Farms (think location of PapaPietro-Perry, Family Wineries, and Kokomo’s tasting rooms) which were planted in the 1963. I believe that it is the bi-cordon vines planted just before you turn into the tasting room area. Can anyone confirm? I wonder who gets this fruit? Another great wine for Anthill. $25.00
2008 Laurel Glen Counterpoint-Sonoma Mountain-Sonoma County- New release from the winery. Deep purple core, darker than the Anthill. Much more shut down/ backward and secondary. Shy, Shy, Shy. Tar almost no fruit what to speak of, not necessarily a bad thing, after all this is a Laurel Glen. Some black currant showing. Has a somewhat iodine saline note, lavender.
Taste- The wine is huge in the mouth. The acidity is major and the tannins dry/grainy and copious. Another cheek coverer. Anise note. Not a wine for novices. Shows no spice that the Anthill did. Loads of acidity, food wine. There is no heat on this wine at all. 30 second finish. Ill comeback to this tomorrow and she how it she opens up. Very tasty, young, but not of balance at all, just a youngster.
This will be one of the last wines made by Patrick Campbell before the new properer winemakers, Randall Watkins and consultant David Ramey take over. Hopefully the new guys will keep the charm of this storied estate. 30% new oak 14.3% alc as per label, 14.5 as per web site. 100% percent Cabernet 30% new oak, 800 cases, $30 retail, $25.49 at Bottle Barn.