Vineyard: Demuth

OwnerPeter Knez
AppellationAnderson Valley
LocationOn a ridge top high above town of Boonville.
Aspect1400-1600 feet above sea level
SoilsWolfey-Bearwallow complex.
VarietiesPinot Noir
ClonesPommard, Wädenswil
ManagersAnthony Filiberti

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2012 Knez Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 1,200 cases, $29. Two-thirds Cerise (primarily Dijon clones), one-third Demuth (primarily Wädenswil). 50% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in 25% new French oak. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. The nose unfolds nicely over time in the glass to reveal aromas of cherry, raspberry and herbs. Plenty of juicy red cherry fruit shows up on the mid weight palate with a hint of spice. Very silky and sexy in the mouth, with some finishing presence. Score: 89. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Knez Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay

13.2% alc., 168 cases, $37. Chardonnay vines planted in 1981. Unique small and large berries in same clusters. Harvest first two weeks in October. Native fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation and aged in 30% new French oak. Bottled 3 weeks before this tasting. · Aromas of lemon, pear and tropical fruits are echoed on the palate which is crisp and bright. Oak plays a complimentary role in the background and the finish is filled with sea brine and electric, lemon-driven acidity. Score: 92. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Knez Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 500 cases, $42. 50% Pommard and 50% Wädenswil clones. Harvest Brix 20º-22º. 50% whole cluster, aged in 30% 4-year-air-dried Francois Frères French oak barrels. The barrel management is intended to reduce tannins. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Highly perfumed nose with bright aromas of cherries and rose petals with a hint of exotic spices. Very complex flavor profile including cherry, cranberry, dried herbs, and whole cluster spice. More elegant, caressing and accessible than the 2012 Cerise with modest tannins and lasting flavors. Still young, but this is clearly a great wine. Score: 93. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Anthill Farms Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., $44. Demuth Vineyard is located at 1,500 feet elevation above the town of Boonville and owned and farmed by Knez Winery. · Moderately light red in color. Aromas of strawberry, red cherry, clove spice and an imposing note of smoky oak. Oak-kissed dark red strawberry and raspberry flavors on a mid weight frame, with a finish of modest length. The delicate and juicy fruit is overwhelmed by the dark oak imprint. Score: 86. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Knez Winery Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay

14.0% alc., $30. A new producer who now owns Demuth and Cerise vineyards in the Anderson Valley. · Light straw color and clear in the glass. Aromas of stewed apple. Flavor of apple with a slight medicinal note. Lacks flavor intensity, brightness and interest. I have had incredible Chardonnays from this vineyard but this wine falls short. Decent at best. Reviewed July 1, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Knez Winery Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay

14.0% alc., $30. · Light straw in color. Aromas of buttered toast and toasted oak overshadow aromas of pear, apple and petrichor. Flavorful, featuring baked apples, pear, toffee, and an appealing mineral character. Slightly creamy with a steely finish. A restrained and delicate, acid-driven style. Very good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 LIOCO Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay

12.6% alc., pH 3.46, TA 0.66, $35. Whole cluster pressed, cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks, no oak, wild yeast, natural MLF, 6-month fine lees contact without fining or filtration. Wente clone on original rootstock planted in 1982 at 1600 feet above the Anderson Valley. Shallow clay over fractured rock leads to low yields. · Light yellow color and very slightly cloudy in the glass. Aromas of spiced pear, honey, gardenia and ocean air. Very light and transcendent in the mouth with flavors of Meyer lemon, green apple, and nori, finishing tart and lemony. Picked at low Brix to produce a lean, acidic style. Very good (-). Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 LIOCO Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

12.6% alc., pH 3.46, TA 0.66, $35. A mountain top vineyard at 1600 feet elevation. Wente clone on original rootstock planted in 1982. 40 degree diurnal temperature swings, late harvest dates, low yields. Whole cluster pressed and cold fermented in stainless steel only. Wild yeast fermentation and natural MLF. Aged 6 months with fine lees contact. Unfined and unfiltered. · Faint straw color in the glass. Aromas of canned peaches, green apple and hay bale. Crisp and minerally flavors of green apples, lime and lemon, and pear, with a nutty note in the background. Bright acidity, slightly tart, with an hi-strung finish. Would have liked some oak on this fruit. Good (+). Note: I really like the back labels of LIOCO wines which provide all the information you want with no fluff. Reviewed May 15, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Whitethorn Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $35. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose opens slowly in the glass to reveal inviting aromas of cherry and dark red berries. Delicious spiced cherry and raspberry flavor with supple tannins and an impressive, cherry-fueled finish of unusual length. Very Pinot in character with appealing finesse and impeccable balance. Score: 92. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Knez Winery Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $36. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Demure but pleasing aromas of dark red cherries and brambly berries, brioche and old book. Tasty middle weight flavors of raspberries and cranberries with a savory herb undertone, picking up flavor intensity and interest over time in the glass. Well-proportioned tannins and acidity. This wine grows on you and is easy to drink. Very good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Knez Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 400 cases, $39, released September 1, 2011. 30-year-old dry-farmed vines. 30-50% whole cluster native fermentations, aged 16 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Medium reddish-purple color and slightly cloudy in the glass. Appealing aromas of cut flowers, cherry and spice. Lean and tight on the palate with flavors of dark red cherries and savory herbs. May come out of its shell with further cellaring. Good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Anthill Farms Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $44. This 20-year-old vineyard sits at 1,400 to 1,600 feet above Boonville and is farmed by Anthony Filiberti and the Knez family who own the property. Clones are Pommard and Wädenswil. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Deeply aromatic with scents of dark cherries, pipe smoke, spice and seasoned oak. Crisp and bright on the palate with vivid flavors of dark red cherries, raspberries and cranberries with subtle hints of spice and smoke. Pillowy tannins create a very smooth mouth feel. Terrific the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Reviewed November 29, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 LIOCO Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.58, 225 cases, $35. Stressed Old Wente clone on original rootstock grown on rocky mountainous soil. Whole cluster pressed, cold fermented in stainless steel (no oak), wild yeast fermentation, 6 months sur lies, unfined and unfiltered. Demuth Vineyard was planted in shallow clay over fractured rock at 1,600 feet to the Wente clone on original rootstock in 1982. Daily temperature fluctuation at this site is 40 degrees. Harvest occurred 14 days later than the Anderson Valley floor. · Golden yellow color in the glass. Alluring aromas of lemon curd, ripe pears, and wet rocks. Very delicious flavors of poached pears, ripe citrus fruits including pineapple, and light caramel set off by an underlying minerality and a lively spark of acidity. Bright, vivid and a delight to drink especially at this moderate alcohol level. This is an exceptional vineyard and the wine shows it. I have tasted this wine multiple times at home and in restaurants and it is one of my favorites from California in this vintage. I have bought this wine for my personal cellar. A steal at this price point. Reviewed May 24, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Anthill Farms Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $42. This vineyard sits at 1,500 feet on a ridge above Boonville. Originally planted by the Demuth family and now owned by the Knez family, the vineyard is 20 years old. Wädenswil and Pommard clones. · Yields were less than one ton per acre. Brooding and restrained aromas of dark fruits, toast and spice. Packed with sappy dark stone fruit with a faint vein of citrus in the background and sporting flamboyant tannins. Still closed and unyielding. A well-endowed wine with great cleavage that, given enough time, will be the best wine in the 2007 lineup. Match now with full-flavored food. Reviewed May 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anthill Farms Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., $39. · Light crimson robe. Complex nose showing black cherry, truffle, oak and toffee. Charismatic dark stone fruits with an earthy tone. Healthy tannic backbone. Creamy texture and a slightly dry finish. This will only get better with cellaring. I could drink this all night. Reviewed June 9, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Anthill Farms Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc.. · The powerful aromas shot out of the bottle when the cork was pulled. Extremely fragrant fruit-driven scents of ripe cherries and berries with a hint of plum and marzipan. Absolutely delicious dark red fruits complimented by notes of spice, vanilla and coffee. A complete wine that is impeccably balanced. Everything you could hope for in Pinot Noir. Reviewed October 1, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Demuth Winery Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 200 cases, $40. Destemmed into t-bins. 5-6-day cold soak. Inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast and punched down several times a day through completion of fermentation. Aged in 33% new Francois Freres medium toast oak barrels. Sterile filtered. Aged in bottle for 7 months before release. · Moderately light garnet color. Aromas of berries, cherries, green tea and green grass. Light in weight and rather austere with green vegetal, tea leaf and tobacco notes underlying the red fruits.13.2% alc., 200 cases, $40. Destemmed into t-bins. 5-6-day cold soak. Inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast and punched down several times a day through completion of fermentation. Aged in 33% new Francois Freres medium toast oak barrels. Sterile filtered. Aged in bottle for 7 months before release. Reviewed May 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2003 Skewis Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 170 cases, $35. The Demuth Vineyard consists of 8 acres planted high above the Anderson Valley at an elevation of 1,500 feet. The soil is shallow creating stress for the vines. The clones are primarily Wädenswil. · This is a pretty wine. The aromatics are alive with aromas of spiced cherries and strawberries. The flavors echo the aromas with an added hint of oak. The balance is spot on. This wine drinks elegantly and is the best sipping wine in the 2004 Skewis lineup. Reviewed June 5, 2006 WINERY »