As our quest for the rare and untouched gems of California continues, we’ve been graced with a new producer from the mountains of Mendocino Ridge and the coveted Anderson Valley; Wentworth Vineyards.  Our American Ambassador, Rachel Dixon, had the pleasure of touring their vineyards this past summer and was stunned by the breathtaking vineyard sites and gorgeous wines from this passionate up-and-comer to the region.  With their recent 94+ scores from Decanter just hitting the press, we’re thrilled to have stumbled upon such an extraordinary find.  We only wish they made more wine.

Inspired by his French Grandmother, whose family farmed grapes in the Languedoc, Mark Wentworth and his wife Katie realised a longtime dream and purchased raw land near the California coast in 2014, which is now the Wentworth Vineyard, their flagship site.  This vineyard is a mere 3.5 miles from the Pacific, atop Greenwood Ridge, at elevations ranging from 1200-1260 feet in the Western-reaches of the Mendocino Ridge AVA. This cool, late-ripening 9.5-acre site is surrounded by a forest of redwood, douglas fir, madrone and oak trees – it is simply stunning. The meagre amount of Pinot Noir produced from this ridgetop site has a highly alluring aromatic profile, an uncommon depth of flavour and lingering finish.

As Mark’s passion for the region flourished, he was captivated by another site in the Western edge of the Anderson Valley, referred by the local Vintners as the ‘Deep End’ of the Valley, and purchased the Nash Mill Vineyard in 2017.  Nash Mill lies just 12 miles from the Ocean and benefits from being sandwiched between two creeks in a unique cold air drainage or combe. Planted in 2003, the Wentworth’s have farmed the site organically since its acquisition in 2017 and it is home to three acres of mature Pinot Noir vines and one acre of Chardonnay.

 

Scroll down to see the wines

2021 Nash Mill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

6 x 75cl · £312

The Pinot Noir blocks from this site are planted at 400-520 feet elevation in clay loam soils and are a combination of various Dijon and Pommard clones.  35% whole cluster adds vibrant aromatics and the use of 45% new French Oak is very well integrated.

“Mark Wentworth sources grapes from the Nash Mill Vineyard in Anderson Valley for this balanced and expressive single-vineyard Pinot. Here is a more brooding wine leading with damp, dark forest notes, cherry, and cedar. Medium bodied, offering cranberry and blood orange fruit, sappy tannins, and layered with rustic, ironstone minerality and finishing long with an ambush of dried herbs and florals. It’s a sneak-up and surprise-you wine with terrific appeal. Just 175 cases were produced.”

~ 94 Points Decanter

 

2021 Wentworth Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino Ridge

6 x 75cl · £495

Their flagship wine with grapes exclusively coming from the Wentworth Vineyard, using 15% whole cluster fruit and aged in French Oak, of which 65% is new.  A diverse mixture of Dijon, Pommard, Calera and Swann clones planted throughout the vineyard adds to the depth and complexity of this wine.

“A lovely translucent medium-ruby colour gives way to incredibly bright red berry fruit with pops of blueberry skin and red florals, all seasoned with cedar spices and a fragrant deep forest quality underscored by heady mineral notes of crushed stones and iron shavings. Medium-bodied with intensely sappy tannins, rich earth and the underbrush of pine branches so characteristic of the high-elevation Mendocino Ridge appellation. That heady mineral quality turns salty on the palate, mingling with juicy cherry, plum, and mouthwatering blood orange acidity. Imminently fresh, complex, and well-endowed, with a beautiful structure that demands some cellaring. 170 cases produced.”

~ 95 Points Decanter

 

2021 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

6 x 75cl · £198

Whilst many producers will make a “village” wine from purchased fruit in the area, this wine is from both the Nash Mill and Wentworth Estate vineyards made from a blend of barrels that didn’t quite make the cut for their ‘tête de cuvée’ bottlings. A generous wine that is ready to enjoy with minimal use of new French oak (15%) and 20% whole cluster inclusion.

“Packs lovely cherry and damson plum notes that are racy and pure in feel, with sleek sanguine and potpourri accents underscoring the focused finish. Pretty, with subtle persistence. Drink now through 2027. 220 cases made.”

~ 91 Points – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

 

2022 Nash Mill Vineyard Chardonnay, Anderson Valley

6 x 75cl · £318

From a one-acre parcel of the Nash Mill Vineyard, this bright and beaming Chardonnay has bold acidity from its proximity to the cooling ocean.  A classic combination of Wente, Dijon and Hyde clones combined with 50% stainless steel and 50% new French oak offers a gorgeous integration of oak, salinity, mid-palate richness and lively acidity on the finish. Only 90 cases produced.

As the 2022 has just been released, the wine has yet to be reviewed, but the 2021 vintage received a glowing note below:

“A riveting Anderson Valley Chardonnay culled from Wente, Dijon 95, and Hyde clones by Mark Wentworth sourced frool.m his Nash Mill Vineyard estate. Gorgeous and lifted lemon zest mingles with rich baking spices, apricot cream, butterscotch and vanilla-toasted almonds. Medium-bodied, supple and plush with a deep vein of salty minerals, crushed sea shells, and a pronounced depth of Indian spices, candied ginger, agave nectar, and candied Meyer lemon peel with a parmesan cheese rind finish. Aged in stainless and 50% new French oak, complete malolactic fermentation in barrel, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”

~ 94 Points Decanter