Review: Wines of Domaine Anderson, 2024 Releases
This quartet of wines from Anderson Valley-based Domaine Anderson arrived at the tail end of 2024 and represent a cross-section of the winery’s most essential varietal production — chardonnay and pinot noir.
2021 Domaine Anderson Estate Chardonnay – Initially a bit oak-forward, this wine eventually settles into a groove that showcases a mix of tropical fruits and coconut, followed by an expressive punch of lemon curd that gives the finish of the wine a bracing acidity. A reprise of creamy coconut makes a surprise return after that biting citrus note fades, tinged with lime leaf. Versatile and expressive, you’ll get no complaints from me on this one. A / $40
2021 Domaine Anderson Chardonnay Dach Vineyard – Bolder and more aggressive than the Estate bottling, this is a creamy, vanilla-heavy chardonnay, taking some of the tropicality present in the Estate and filtering it through a more brooding, nutty body. A brighter citrus tone arrives as the wine gets a little warmth, followed by green apples dipped in a touch of caramel sauce. A bit green on the finish in a good way — think mint and some sage, pinch of rosemary. Amazing. A / $55
2021 Domaine Anderson Estate Pinot Noir – On the sweet side of the pinotverse, this wine evokes a rather sugary, Maraschino-style cherry note up top, quickly followed by layers of licorice candy, milk chocolate, and some tea leaf elements. The finish remains sweet and fruity, with layers of cherry syrup and a lingering cola note. Pleasant as an aperitif, but a bit tough to pair with. B+ / $55
2021 Domaine Anderson Pinot Noir Dach Vineyard – What a different a single vineyard makes! This is a greatest hits wine, hitting the highlights of New World pinot noir to showcase the grape at its best. Notes of dark cherry, pencil lead, a gentle lacing of vanilla, and toasty notes of oak dominate, but there’s a rumbling savoriness here that’s absent in the Estate bottling, adding some needed gravitas — and which layers in late-breaking flavors of rhubarb and cloves. The slight slick of sweetness on the finish adds just the right kiss of dessert after the full and wide-ranging meal that’s come before. Outstanding. A / $75
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