Vineyard: Balo

AppellationArroyo Seco
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Balo Vineyards Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.39, TA 0.62, 352 cases, $45. From the 8-acre, family owned vineyard near Philo. Planted in 1998 at a low vigor site. Most of vineyard planted in Perry Gulch loam soil. 60% whole cluster. Aged in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderately light ruby red color in the glass. Very shy aromas of red berries and spice. More expressive on the palate, with middleweight flavors of pomegranate, cranberry and strawberry. Juicy and vibrant, with welcome spice accents, good harmony, and a juicy finish. Score: 92. Reviewed July 8, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Drew Balo Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 50 cases, $50. Jason has worked with this vineyard since 2006. Average vine age 19 years. Yields 2.0 tons per acre. Clones are Pommard, 777 and 115. Perrygulch and Boontling loam soils. Native ferments, 40% whole cluster, aged 11 months in 2 and 3-year-old Francois Frères and Sirugue oak barrels. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very lovely and enticing aromas of spiced cherry and earthy flora. Noticeably juicy on the palate, featuring a mid weight array of cherry, Damsel plum, and botanic flavors. Both savory and fruity, with firm fruit tannins, and an extremely long, quenching finish. An age worthy wine that will rise above with more time in the cellar. Score: 94. Reviewed July 9, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Balo Estate Anderson Valley Vin Gris of Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., pH 3.18, TA 0.78, 110 cases, $22. Clones “828” and 777. Harvest Brix 21.2º. Whole cluster pressed. Vinified in 100% stainless steel. · Light pink color in the glass. Delicate but appealing aromas of strawberry jam and cherry. Easy to like for its juicy strawberry fruit flavor accented with a hint of herbs. Finishes very dry and slightly tart. Score: 89. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Balo Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Blanc

13.6% alc., pH 3.16, TA 0.72, 45 cases, $28. Clones “828” and 777. Harvest Brix 21.7º. Whole cluster pressed. Vinified in 75% stainless and 25% French oak. · Scents and aromas of pear and strawberry with hints of peach and lemongrass. Bright, with juicy acidity. Score: 88. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Balo Estate “Suitcase 828” Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.65, 163 cases, $38. Harvest Brix 23.1º. Upright vines planted in 2003. 30% whole cluster fermentation, aged in 30% new French oak. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Light to medium weight flavors of cherries, cranberries and raspberries with a spicy accent. Vivid and juicy with electric acidity and a cranberry-driven, soprano finish. Score: 89. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Balo Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.35, TA 0.69, 405 cases, $45. Clones are 777, 115, Pommard 5 and Martini. Harvest Brix 23.2º-24.5º. 30% whole cluster fermentation, aged in 30% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Invigorating aromas of black cherry, dark red berry, forest floor and dried herbs. Comforting fullness and velvety on the palate, with a core of modest tannins wrapped in layers of dark cherry and dark red berry fruits and a hint of spice. A complete wine with satisfying mid palate attack, bright underlying acidity, and welcoming finishing acidity. The structure of the wine should carry it for years. Score: 92. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Drew Balo Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 142 cases, $45. Harvest Brix 23.4º. 50% Pommard, 35% 115, 15% 777. 20% whole cluster fermentation. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of spiced cherry, tea and leaf. Polished on the palate with juicy flavors of red cherry and red berry with a hint of exotic spice. Well-structured with a noticeably generous finish that leaves a lasting impression. Score: 93. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Balo Avenging Angel Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.62, 152 cases, $55. 50% Balo Vineyard and 50% Angel Camp Vineyard fruit (1 ton of each) produced to remember lost family members and friends. Christian H. Maltby (deceased 9/11/01) and Edward P. Zalanick (deceased 1/3/04) are the inspiration. Clones are Pommard 5, 777, 667, Swan and Wädenswil. Harvest Brix 23.8º. 50% whole cluster. Aged in 15% new French oak. Alex Crangle is the winemaker. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of red fruits, spice and sweet oak. A red cherry bombast that is bracing and very satisfying with a good cut of acidity, a subtle compliment of oak, and a fine-grain, velvety mouthfeel. Everything is in its place in this wine that should age nicely. Score: 92. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Balo Anderson Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 62 cases, pH 3.40, TA 0.66, $20.95 (sold out). 100% 777 clone. Saignée, aged in stainless steel barrels for 6 months, unfined. · Pretty red rose color with slight haze in the glass. Initially, very nice aromas of strawberries and red raspberries, changing in the glass to slight aromas of fresh cut apples and white raisins (acetaldehyde). Refreshing and crisp featuring red berry flavors with hi-tone citrusy acidity on the herb-toned finish. Decent. Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Balo Vineyards Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., pH 3.52, TA 0.57, 211 cases, $40. Released May 1, 2013. Vinified by winemaker Jason Drew. Clones are 777, 828, 115, Pommard and Martini. Aged 15 months in 30% new French oak. · Light reddish-purple color in the glass. Delicate aromas and flavors of red fruits and herbs with a note of Asian 5-spice. Nicely integrated oak and soft on the palate. Highly approachable. Good (+). Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Balo Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.90, TA 0.63, 248 cases, $39.95. Released May 1, 2012. 1.5 tons/acre. 46% 777, 22% Pommard, lesser amounts of 828, 115 and Martini clones. Aged 11 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. Crafted by Jason Drew. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of deep red raspberries black cherries and rose bouquet. Moderately rich, earth-kissed flavors of black cherries with a hint of spice and cherry cola. Bright acidity, supple tannins and generous length. Very polished and sophisticated. Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Balo Vineyards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.63, 248 cases, $39.95, released May 1, 2012. 46% 777, 22% Pommard, 16% 828, 11% 115, 5% Martini. 30% whole cluster. Aged 11 months in 30% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of cherries and rose petals. Bright, brisk and juicy, with delicious flavors of fresh cherries elevated with vivid acidity. An exceptional wine. Very good (+). Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Drew Fog-Eater Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 370 cases, $40. 60% Balo Vineyard and 40% Monument Tree Vineyard. Reviewed in July and August 2011. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Somewhat brooding on the nose with aromas of riper, darker fruits and leather. Tasty array of fruit on the palate including black cherries and dark red berries with hints of tea leaves and herbs in the background. Mild tannins. Good. Reviewed February 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »