January 25, 2012
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Londer Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Larry Londer, Shirlee Londer |
| Web site | www.londervineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
Larry and Shirlee Londer left Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1999 and settled in the Anderson Valley to start a winery. A small 16-acre estate vineyard was planted (15 acres of Pinot Noir, 1 acre of Gewürztraminer), and the Londers set about sourcing grapes to produce Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir. Winemaker Greg La Follette got them started with their first releases in 2001, and Richard Davis, who worked with LaFollette for many years, has since taken over the winemaking duties.
The wines have received considerable accolades. The Pinot Noir lineup: Anderson Valley, Corby Vineyard, Paraboll (a reserve), and Estate Grown.
The wines are sold primarily through a mailing list with some online and retail sales. In August 2009, Londer Vineyards opened their first tasting room in downtown Boonville. Total production is 6,500 cases, half of which is from estate grown fruit. The Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay is also recommended.
Articles About Londer Vineyards
Along the Pinot Trail in California (8.45 11/1/2011)
Along the Pinot Trail: Pinot Days Southern California 2010 (8.9 1/22/2010)
Anderson Noir Valley Pinot (Pt II) (7.19 6/5/2009)
Anderson Noir Valley Pinot Festival: After the Smoke Clears (8.16 6/8/2010)
Andersonoir Valley Pinot Noir Festival (8.40 6/30/2011)
Pinot Briefs (8.2 10/3/2009)
Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs (6.28 6/3/2007)
Wineries in Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge* (6.60 6/9/2008)
Reviewed Wines
2009 Londer Vineyards Corby Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., $28.
·
Moderately light
reddish-purple color in the glass. Vibrant aromas of strawberries, cherries with a confected note, fading over
time in the glass. Ripe strawberry and red cherry flavors in a lighter, silky styled wine with an earthy
underpinning. Nothing out of place but doesn’t excite. Decent.
Reviewed November 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Londer Vineyards Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., pH 3.54, 379 cases, $54. Sourced
from Ferrington and Valley Foothills vineyards. Clones are Pommard and Roederer 23. Aged in 40% new
French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish-purple hue and clear in the glass. Usually a rugged, masculine wine
that often needs several years for best enjoyment. This vintage, however, is more refined and showy early on.
Very appealing nose offering aromas of exotic berries, plum and forest floor. Well-endowed with delicious
earth-kissed dark fruit and substantial tannins, yet displays an elegance due to the silkiness of the tannins and
the textural seductiveness offered by the alcohol. Very good.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 Londer Vineyards Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.95% alc., pH 3.74, 615 cases, $48.
Released in the spring 2010. From a 16-acre vineyard planted in clay loam soil in 2001 to five clones of Pinot
Noir including Swan, Pommard, 115, 777 and 2A. Aged in 30% new French oak barrels.
·
Aromas of black
cherries with a minty green note. A fruit-driven wine of moderate richness leaving a little warmth in its wake. A
bit closed now and should reward a few years of cellaring. Decent.
Reviewed June 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Corby Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
A “trainer” Pinot Noir that is
light and delicate with tasty strawberry flavors. I call this “Londer Light.”
·
Ready to drink now and will
pair will with roast chicken and lighter fare.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Not released.
·
This sultry beauty
is withholding its charms at present.. The aromatics are shy and the fruit is largely hidden by the tannic
structure. Black tea, game, and cola flavors are evident. Very tight and concentrated.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $35.
·
A step up from the Corby bottling.
A lot going on here including black cherry fruit, earth, smoke, and spice. Nicely put together and
very satisfying.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., 524 cases, $54.
Released May 2008. The derivation of the name is “para” which is an art classification for
a deep cherry-red color and “boll” which is boontling for great. A reserve blend that is
sourced from Ferrington and Valley Foothills Vineyards. Wild yeast fermentation, aged 9
months in French oak barrels.
·
Deep, dark reddish-purple color. A generous core of dark
cherry and berry fruit which is complemented by loam, spice, cola, bacon and a hint of
nuttiness. Sorting ample tannins and brisk acidity and leaving a little heat in its wake on the
richly-fruited finish.
Reviewed June 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $54.
·
You can drink it now
but it would be infanticide. Shows great promise with ripe fruit aromas, a charming and intense dark
berry core and coating tannins.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
524 cases, 14.9% alc., $54. A reserve blend
intended for the cellar. Aged 9 months in French oak. Winemaker is Rick Davis (Calstar). Available on the
website.
·
The nose is rather reserved with faint black fruit jam and herbal notes. Very tasty black cherry and
blackberry fruit with hints of cola and brown spice. Viscous and very smoothly textured.
Reviewed April 18, 2009
ARTICLE »
2005 Londer Vineyards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $33.
Made by Greg La Follette.
·
Black fruits, toast and minerality on the nose.
Oak-infused black fruits on the palate. Tannins are toned down compared
to the 2004 vintage creating a soft and appealing mouth feel.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Londer Vineyards Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $50.
·
Jammy blackberry
and cherry fruit with a little barnyard on the entry. Big core of plush dark fruits with a delicious lingering
aromatic berry finish. Smoky, spicy, exotic and very tasty. This one is captivating and forces you
to take another sip.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Londer Vineyrds Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $54. “Para” is an art classification
for a deep cherry-red color. “Boll” translates as “great” in boontling. Sourced from Ferrington
and Valley Foothills Vineyards. A reserve blend.
·
Complex and bright aromatic profile featuring
black cherry, ripe strawberry, sage, vanilla and a little funk. A boat-load of herbal-toned dark fruits that
are balanced and on keel. Some green tannins persist.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2004 Londer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 1949 cases, $30.
·
A touch warm and herbal
(eucalyptus) on the nose. The subtle red fruits are pleasing, the texture is soft and light, and the tannins
are supple.
Reviewed June 3, 2007
ARTICLE »
2004 Londer Vineyards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $30.
Made by Greg La Follette.
·
Aromas of crushed plums and buttered toast.
A big and bold wine with a healthy tannic spine. Plenty of dark Pinot fruits
which stand up to the alcohol.. Needs a steak.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2004 Londer Vineyards Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
15.5% alc., 432 cases, $46.
·
This
one surprised me as I was skeptical when I looked at the octane level. Given adequate air time, the
aromatics open beautifully showing dark fruits, mocha and a hint of earth. This is a rich wine with a prodigious
fruit core, fine tannins, a mouth-coating finish and great legs. Teeth staining.
Reviewed June 3, 2007
ARTICLE »
2001 Londer Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
15.5% alc., $42.
·
A very earthy Pinot featuring wet
leaf, musroom and stem on the nose. Darker fruit flavors are highlighted with barnyard and citrus notes.
A Burgundian’s cup of tea.
Reviewed June 3, 2007
ARTICLE »
2009 Londer Vineyards Corby Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., $28. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Vibrant aromas of strawberries, cherries with a confected note, fading over time in the glass. Ripe strawberry and red cherry flavors in a lighter, silky styled wine with an earthy underpinning. Nothing out of place but doesn’t excite. Decent. Reviewed November 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Londer Vineyards Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., pH 3.54, 379 cases, $54. Sourced from Ferrington and Valley Foothills vineyards. Clones are Pommard and Roederer 23. Aged in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue and clear in the glass. Usually a rugged, masculine wine that often needs several years for best enjoyment. This vintage, however, is more refined and showy early on. Very appealing nose offering aromas of exotic berries, plum and forest floor. Well-endowed with delicious earth-kissed dark fruit and substantial tannins, yet displays an elegance due to the silkiness of the tannins and the textural seductiveness offered by the alcohol. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 Londer Vineyards Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.95% alc., pH 3.74, 615 cases, $48. Released in the spring 2010. From a 16-acre vineyard planted in clay loam soil in 2001 to five clones of Pinot Noir including Swan, Pommard, 115, 777 and 2A. Aged in 30% new French oak barrels. · Aromas of black cherries with a minty green note. A fruit-driven wine of moderate richness leaving a little warmth in its wake. A bit closed now and should reward a few years of cellaring. Decent. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Corby Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
A “trainer” Pinot Noir that is light and delicate with tasty strawberry flavors. I call this “Londer Light.” · Ready to drink now and will pair will with roast chicken and lighter fare. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Not released. · This sultry beauty is withholding its charms at present.. The aromatics are shy and the fruit is largely hidden by the tannic structure. Black tea, game, and cola flavors are evident. Very tight and concentrated. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $35. · A step up from the Corby bottling. A lot going on here including black cherry fruit, earth, smoke, and spice. Nicely put together and very satisfying. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., 524 cases, $54. Released May 2008. The derivation of the name is “para” which is an art classification for a deep cherry-red color and “boll” which is boontling for great. A reserve blend that is sourced from Ferrington and Valley Foothills Vineyards. Wild yeast fermentation, aged 9 months in French oak barrels. · Deep, dark reddish-purple color. A generous core of dark cherry and berry fruit which is complemented by loam, spice, cola, bacon and a hint of nuttiness. Sorting ample tannins and brisk acidity and leaving a little heat in its wake on the richly-fruited finish. Reviewed June 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $54. · You can drink it now but it would be infanticide. Shows great promise with ripe fruit aromas, a charming and intense dark berry core and coating tannins. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Londer Vineyards Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
524 cases, 14.9% alc., $54. A reserve blend intended for the cellar. Aged 9 months in French oak. Winemaker is Rick Davis (Calstar). Available on the website. · The nose is rather reserved with faint black fruit jam and herbal notes. Very tasty black cherry and blackberry fruit with hints of cola and brown spice. Viscous and very smoothly textured. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »
2005 Londer Vineyards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $33. Made by Greg La Follette. · Black fruits, toast and minerality on the nose. Oak-infused black fruits on the palate. Tannins are toned down compared to the 2004 vintage creating a soft and appealing mouth feel. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Londer Vineyards Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $50. · Jammy blackberry and cherry fruit with a little barnyard on the entry. Big core of plush dark fruits with a delicious lingering aromatic berry finish. Smoky, spicy, exotic and very tasty. This one is captivating and forces you to take another sip. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Londer Vineyrds Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $54. “Para” is an art classification for a deep cherry-red color. “Boll” translates as “great” in boontling. Sourced from Ferrington and Valley Foothills Vineyards. A reserve blend. · Complex and bright aromatic profile featuring black cherry, ripe strawberry, sage, vanilla and a little funk. A boat-load of herbal-toned dark fruits that are balanced and on keel. Some green tannins persist. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2004 Londer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 1949 cases, $30. · A touch warm and herbal (eucalyptus) on the nose. The subtle red fruits are pleasing, the texture is soft and light, and the tannins are supple. Reviewed June 3, 2007 ARTICLE »
2004 Londer Vineyards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $30. Made by Greg La Follette. · Aromas of crushed plums and buttered toast. A big and bold wine with a healthy tannic spine. Plenty of dark Pinot fruits which stand up to the alcohol.. Needs a steak. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2004 Londer Vineyards Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
15.5% alc., 432 cases, $46. · This one surprised me as I was skeptical when I looked at the octane level. Given adequate air time, the aromatics open beautifully showing dark fruits, mocha and a hint of earth. This is a rich wine with a prodigious fruit core, fine tannins, a mouth-coating finish and great legs. Teeth staining. Reviewed June 3, 2007 ARTICLE »
2001 Londer Paraboll Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
15.5% alc., $42. · A very earthy Pinot featuring wet leaf, musroom and stem on the nose. Darker fruit flavors are highlighted with barnyard and citrus notes. A Burgundian’s cup of tea. Reviewed June 3, 2007 ARTICLE »
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