TN: 2008 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - FAIL

WINE TALK
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Posted from CellarTracker

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BOYCOTT!!

In seriousness, I did not like this wine at all upon release, and I’m not surprised it has gotten worse. But I love most AF wines, and I knew beforehand the problems that wines from that region and vintage would have and avoided wasting money on it, so I’m happy to give them a Mulligan for one mistake.

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If you of the problems they would have solid AF, they went ahead and sold problematic wines (at least according to,you) . No?

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If I understand the comment correctly (looks like you may have typed that from the 101 Freeway on your phone neener ), you’re saying AF should have known better than to bottle this wine. I agree, and that’s why I referred to it as a “mistake.”

How forgiveable a mistake it is is up to each of us to decide for himself, I guess. I’m past it, and I think I’ve really enjoyed every single other bottle of their wine I’ve tried thus far. But I have no real argument that someone who wrote them off for this, it’s your choice.

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I initially wrote them off, but have bought since. What I never understood though was not even an email to list customers offering an apology or an offer for a credit on future releases. I have heard that if you went to the pick up party they gave you an option of not taking these after tasting, which again you would think they would offer to customers who couldn’t attend this. Water under the bridge at this point because they make some damn nice Pinot.

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deadhorse deadhorse deadhorse

When they sold the wines they did say that it was all downgraded juice based on the fires, same as Littorai did btw. They did not say that the wine smelled like camp fires, but I’d not be at all surprised if that was something that only became more apparent with time. Caveat emptor.
So who bought the similarly priced Littorai, did it eventually turn smoky?

Are we also still rehashing bretty wines of other producers who didn’t seem to care that they might be bretty? I’d say that is an issue that is very much on par, but which we never discuss, perhaps because many people don’t mind brett.

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It was smokey but not as far as campfire or ashtray.My point of the note post wasn’t to rehash, just to give people a realistic view that time wont help.

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I just tried this for the first time, since my 2008s have been sitting in an off-site facility since release. While I was expecting it to be worse based on all of the commentary, it is not a wine I would buy again. It is not smokey like an ashtray, but it is smokey. My main problem is the bitter, short finish and lack of PN flavor. It tastes to me like a poorly made Syrah. All of that said, I bought the few bottles I have knowing what happened and not expecting much. In fact, I bought them mainly to add this smoke-tainted wine to my tasting database. I’m not going to boycott Anthill over this because I went into the purchase with my eyes open. I have enjoyed every other Anthill wine I have tried.

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Unfortunately I didn’t cut them any slack, felt robbed of my money however cheap this wine was.
I stopped buying immediately, maybe to my loss.

Cheers
Del

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Did you ask them for a refund or replacements? I’m not asking that to challenge your decision, but just curious if you did, and what response you may have received.

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TBH, the amount was in reality small and in the absence of an emailed offer from them to refund I just drifted away silent.
I feel that I may have missed out on some future highs but felt like I was dealing with Jon from Garagiste (sorry thread drift)

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I completely understand; I have rarely ever asked for refunds or credits for anything, whether corked bottles or otherwise. I was just wondering if you or anyone had ever asked, and if so, what their response was.

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Beating that dead horse indeed. This was a huge fail when it was released in 2010 or whenever, and it won’t improve with time. I have certainly had good AF wines, but that one really put me off. The funny thing was that some folks actually tried to defend it as just an expression of “terroir!”

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After opening a few bottles, I brought it to their attention and they gave me a refund. This was the first and only time that I have ever complained to a winery about a bad bottle. The response was respectful but I was told that they hadn’t received any complaints and they hadn’t noticed the smoke which I found to be odd given the widespread comments about it at the time. While I appreciate the refund, I still believe that they should have owned up to it with their loyal customer base by at least acknowledging it in an e-mail or the next release and offer refunds. I bought a few bottles here and there from the next few mailers but have since moved on with no hard feelings.

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Same thing I was told. But they credited my account very graciously.

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That’s the thing…the consumer shouldn’t have to complain about a totally flawed wine. The wine shouldn’t have even been released, period. At the very least, the release mailer should have given very specific information about the fires’ impact on the wine. Nothing of the sort happened. If they say they “hadn’t noticed the smoke,” they are either lying or have no ability to evaluate wine, a fail in either case.

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So in my Inbox comes an email blast from Wade Wines: “Last call on Anthill Reds!!!
Anthill Farms Winery has a cult like following and for good reason, these wines are smokin’!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, not knowing whether the connection with the 2008 Anderson valley release was done knowingly.

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I asked for a refund or credit via e-mail. Got no answer. I feel that since they sell their wine electronically they should be able to answer e-mail. There is no need for me to buy anything from anyone whose customer service is this poor. I guess that’s more for you who believe this is excusable. You’re welcome. [wink.gif]