Lazy Creek 2015 Pinot Noir, Lazy Day, Anderson Valley

Named for the creek that meanders through it, Lazy Creek Vineyards is located in the heart of bucolic Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. Known as the second oldest vineyard in the valley it dates back to the early 1900s. In 1969 the owners had the foresight to plant Pinot Noir, and produced Burgundian-style Pinot Noirs that were honored with multiple international awards. In the summer of 2008, Don and Rhonda Carano (owners of Ferrari-Carano) purchased Lazy Creek after falling for its considerable charms and are then producing excellent Estate Pinot Noir with a distinct Burgundian flair.


The hand-harvested grapes for this Pinot Noir are fermented in macrobins and small, open-top tanks. Lots are cold soaked for three days to optimize fruit aromas and flavors, and various yeast strains are used for complexity. Fermentors are punched down one to three times per day. Once dry, the wines are drained and pressed to tank for one day of settling and then racked to barrels. Malolactic fermentation is completed in barrel. The blend was assembled in July and bottled in August.

Anderson Valley in Mendocino County has warm, sunny days and cool, foggy mornings and nights creating the ideal microclimate for producing this wine. This sustainably-farmed, medium-bodied Pinot Noir has attractive aromas of bright red fruits, plum, berries and a hint of licorice, followed by flavors of juicy cherry with notes of cola, spice and toast on the finish.