Anaba Wines is a small Sonoma County producer that you should get to know if you don’t already. Their portfolio includes a host of really cool wines such as Riesling, Viognier, Syrah, as well as a few blends and dessert wines too. In addition to those they produce several different examples of Chardonnay and Pinot both site and AVA specific. Here’s a look at two brand new releases.
Anaba 2013 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($28)
This is made up entirely of Chardonnay sourced from a number of vineyards within the Sonoma Coast AVA. It was fermented in a combination of barrel (60%) and stainless steel (40%). Aging took place over 9 months in French oak (35% new). 814 cases were produced. An array of citrus aromas light up the attractive nose. The palate is even prettier with papaya and mango flavors playing alongside more citrus, orchard fruits and a bit of crème fraiche. A host of spice elements are present on the long finish which is mellifluous and super appealing. This Chardonnay does an excellent job of providing value, a fine example of the Sonoma Coast, and most importantly, delicious drinking.
Anaba 2013 Turbine Red ($28)
This red blend combines Grenache (42%), Mourvedre (30%), and Syrah (28%). The fruit was sourced at two different vineyard sites within Sonoma Valley. Each lot was picked, fermented and aged separately prior to blending. Barrel aging took place in approximately 30% new French oak. 644 cases were produced. Turbine Red is a remarkably appealing red blend for several reasons. It has a flavor profile and is produced in a style that will appeal to a lot of people with varying taste buds and it will marry with a very wide range of foods. It’s also well priced for the quality in the bottle. Heady purple and black fruit aromas fill the nose. The palate is fleshy and stuffed with juicy but proportionate flavors such as black plum, blackberry, and cherry as well as copious spice and mineral elements. Crushed black cherries and bits of earth and loads of spices present on the long, somewhat lusty finish. It’s hard to please every palate with any single bottle of wine, with Turbine Red you have a fair shot, and that’s saying a lot.
Anaba Wines is a terrific Sonoma winery with a really interesting range of well-made and very tasty wines. If you’re headed out to Sonoma County anytime soon I highly recommend stopping in for a visit to their tasting room. Alternately get a hold of some of their wine for drinking this Holiday Season.