Recent Scores and Reviews

A sampling of some recent scores and reviews:

 

Foursight Wines

Anderson Valley-based Foursight Wines is the first winery in the country to label all its wines with ingredients alongside a vegan/vegetarian statement. Starting with the 2012 vintage, all the Foursight wines are labeled with “grapes, sulfur dioxide,” or “grapes, tartaric acid, sulfur dioxide,” and “this wine is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.” This last statement is permitted by the TTB because the wines are unfiltered without the use of animal-derived products. The winery produced its first ingredients-labeled wine in 2010 - an estate Semillon - and decided to expand the effort to its entire portfolio due to positive responses from consumers. Copies of the labels can be found on the winery’s website at www.foursightwines.com. 

Foursight wines are made with estate grown grapes, fermented with wild yeast and malolactic cultures, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Pinot Noirs are always produced with a percentage of whole cluster fermentation (10 to 50 percent depending on the vintage). 

91 points: 2012 Foursight Charles Vineyard Zero New Oak Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.58, 173 cases, $38. Release November 2014. Clones are Pommard 05, 777, 115 and 114. 30% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in second-year and older barrels with no new oak. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Bright cherry fruit is the focus of this juicy wine which is very soft and seamless on the palate. Added accents of raspberry, brown spice and sandalwood add interest. Inviting balance and harmony and highly approachable now. Score: 91 

92 points: 2012 Foursight Charles Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.72, TA 0.58, 224 cases, $46. Release May 2015. Crafted from all four clones grown in the estate vineyard (777, 114, 115, and Pommard 05). 30% whole cluster fermentation. Wooden basket-pressed. Aged in 40% new, 10% secondyear and 50% three-plus-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is infused with the lovely scent of Bing cherry glaze and complimentary oak in the background. Very soft and sexy, with mid weight flavors of cherry, raspberry and plum caressed by suede tannins. Oak seasoning plays a favorable role. This wine, which has a little more body and generosity than the Zero, finishes silky and full of cherry goodness. Score: 92 

93 points: 2012 Foursight Charles Vineyard Clone 05 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.70, 130 cases, $49. Release January 1, 2015. Four favorite barrels of 100% Pommard 05. 30% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in 40% new and 40% second-year French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The hi-tone aromas of black cherry and dark raspberry fill the glass. Soft and velvety on the palate, even ephemeral, like angels dancing on a cloud. Discreetly concentrated and highly flavorful, featuring dark cherry and dark red berry fruits with oak seasoning in the background. Nicely composed with balanced tannins and a finish that sports refined acidity. This wine will get noticed. Score: 93 

***

 

“Wine of the Week” Column

By Peg Melnik

December 1, 2014

Foursight Wines, 2012 “Zero New Oak” Pinot Noir, 13.5 percent, $38. ★★★ 1⁄2

This pinot rides on its bright cherry fruit, and its crisp acidity makes the fruit even more high-toned. This pinot will be snapped up fast.

***

December 6, 2014

Foursight, 2013 Charles Vineyard, Anderson Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 13.3 percent, $20. ★★★★

This is a smart sauvignon blanc with notes of melon, citrus, and mineral. It’s lush and yet manages to have great balance. Striking.