One of our very favorite domestic sparkling wine producers is Roederer Estate. Their bubbly is a staple at most of our parties and gatherings. Today, we’re very pleased to showcase their sister label’s still wines, from the impeccably hewn vineyards of Domain Anderson.

You may not have heard of Domaine Anderson before, given 2013 is only their second vintage. The Roederer legacy, however, dates to 1776 when their Champagne house was established, bar none the top luxury family-owned Grande Marque in Champagne today. The same family has established an unsurpassed reputation in California sparklings too with Roederer Estate whose impeccable Mendocino vineyards also make stunning, under the radar Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at Domaine Anderson, their latest venture.

It is no accident that the consulting winemaker for the inaugural 2012-2015 vintages here was Jeremy Seysses, whose Domaine Dujac is one of Burgundy’s untouchable greats. Anecdotally, when DJ Khaled posted a video of a Dujac moment last year with a; “I gotta be honest, Jay-Z put me up on this, I fell in love with it” testimonial, the already astronomical prices for Dujac’s gems skyrocketed! Reminiscent of a great red Burgundy that has been touched by the explosive cherry magic wand of classic Anderson Valley aromatics and intensity, their Pinot Noirs remain some of the best-kept secrets in Californian reds.

This graceful Pinot has a deeper, dark ruby core opening up to a wide pale crimson. Spicy bold cherries on the palate open up to spiced red plums and hints of clove and nutmeg. The palate brings in a new dimension with striking acidity, lively mid-palate with ripe raspberry and earth tones. Long with a comforting, velvety texture, lingering violets, and roses on the luxurious finish. A platter of hard aged sheep or goat’s milk cheeses and charcuterie would be the ideal companion to this sophisticated red. This wine perfectly carries and delivers the expected quality from such a prestigious lineage.

Wine Spectator’s James Laube sums it up best; “Domaine Anderson is the American still wine estate of Louis Roederer Champagne. It’s sister—sparkling wine house Roederer Estate— produces what is considered by many sommeliers to be one of the top sparkling wines in the U.S. Indeed, after learning of this connection, I wasn’t so surprised, for Domaine Anderson had the kind of finesse that Roederer Estate possesses. The winery makes not only a Chardonnay but also a light-bodied Pinot Noir that’s all earth, tea, and cola-as far away from a fruit bomb Pinot as you could get. For both of these wines, Burgundian winemaker Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac is a consultant.”

Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac further elaborates; “I’ve had people ask me to consult before, but I have never agreed because it always seemed to me that they just wanted a Burgundy endorsement . . . they wanted to be known as a New World Dujac. Roederer is different. They understand that France is France and the US is the US. With Domaine Anderson, they wanted to build something on its own merits, and that was attractive to me. In so much of the world, better means bigger, and now there’s also the contemporary reaction to that, which is making wines that are so high in acidity that they’re shrill. At Domaine Anderson, I think we can make wines that walk the line between the two. I think we can make wines that have fruit and generosity but that are weightless and restrained. It’s the one aesthetic I can completely relate to.”

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

93 points - Wine Review Online - “This spicy Pinot Noir is the second annual offering for Domaine Anderson, sister winery to my favorite domestic sparkling wine producer Roederer Estate. As you’d expect, quality is high, with a complex mix of black cherry, fall spice and dry earth aromas that lead to a bright palate that delivers the promise of the nose over bright acidity, soft texture and medium-plus oak toast. The toast and spice come forward in the finish without covering the rich fruit, with everything mingling and lingering long. Winemaker Darrin Low is one to watch.”