Anthony, David and Web first crossed paths whilst working at Williams-Selyem as ‘cellar rats’ in 2003. From this friendship, Anthill Farms was born, and in 2004 eight and a half barrels were made. Success was virtually instantaneous, with Allen Meadows (Burghound) giving the 2005 Abbey-Harris 95 points and a glowing review. One element that hasn’t changed since that time is the emphasis on vineyard sites and the successful triumvirate preference to keep their influence out of the limelight. As winemakers, their minimalist approach allows the vineyards to express themselves. If there has been a change in recent years, then perhaps it is that the wines have a little more stuffing. They remain delicate creatures, but there is a feeling that they have filled out in style over the past years. The grapes for the Sonoma Coast wine come from two of the coolest, most coastal parts of the appellation, one to the west of Sebastopol on the Petaluma Gap’s edge and the other further north on the first and second ridge in from the ocean. Tina Marie lies in the heart of the Green Valley appellation. The small yields come from the dense planting by vineyard owner Ron Black. Campbell Ranch is just a few miles from the Pacific, lying at 750 feet and is farmed by Steve Campbell. It is a cool, edgy, late-ripening site.
“Anthony Filiberti has been making gorgeous wines at Knez for a number of years, yet this small Anderson Valley estate remains a bit of an undiscovered gem. The reds see a good dose of whole clusters, which gives them notable aromatic lift and perfume. The 2013s are beautifully expressive.”
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