Reviews
Current Releases:
2012 Charles Vineyard Semillon
March 10, 2014: This new release garnered 91 points on Wine Review Online! "...Expressive aromas of white flowers, lanolin, stony minerality and lemon lead into flavors of lemon, lime, stone and chalk. The feel is viscous on entry, and finishes with scouring acidity that begs for shellfish. Contains 8.3% Sauvignon Blanc." -- Rich Cook
2011 Clone 05 Pinot Noir
July 2014: PinotFile gave this wine 92 points, saying: "Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. A penetrating nose flush with aromas of black pie cherries, dried herbs, brewed tea and toasty oak. Very flavorful, with impressive fullness and plushness on the palate, featuring flavors of dark red cherry and berry with a touch of cola. Soft and silky with a cherry-driven finish embellished with a deft touch of oak. I have said it many times, Pommard is my paramour."
March 2014: Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded our 2011 Clone 05 Pinot Noir 90 points! The reviews reads: "Foursight's 2011 Pinot, from a very cool vintage, is savory, with mushroom and herb alongside a streak of red cherry. Light in color and texture, it's subtle yet expansive on the palate, with a peppery, juicy finish. It's a wine that can be enjoyed now, but put some away for a couple of years and the seams will come together event better. - V.B."
March 10, 2014: Our 2011 Clone 05 Pinot garnered 93 points from Wine Review Online! "...It’s very floral on the nose, with red cherry, sarsaparilla and a light hint of dry earth. Rich and forward on the palate, with a juicy entry and balanced acid carrying flavors through a finish that will get longer with further bottle aging. I’m not usually a fan of lots of new oak, but this wine handles it with style. Well done!" -- Rich Cook
2011 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
July 2014: This wine garnered 90 points in PinotFile! The review reads: "Light garnet color in the glass. More flamboyant on the nose with aromas of black cherries, spice and sweet oak. A very lovely wine that is seductively polished and seamless, featuring a plethora of sweet cherry goodness accented with spicy oak."
May 27, 2014: The Santa Rosa Press Democrat awarded our 2011 Charles Vineyard Pinot 4.5 out of 5 stars! Reviewer Peg Melnik wrote: "...A gorgeous pinot with exceptional fruit — cherry and raspberry. It also has some enticing briary notes, but it's the high-toned fruit and great acid that make this pinot so compelling. Bravo. ..."
2011 Zero New Oak Pinot Noir
July 2014: PinotFile gave this wine 89 points, writing: "Light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of red cherries and berries with a hint of briar and herbs. Soft and smooth on the palate, somewhat delicate, and quite enjoyable for its fresh red cherry and berry fruits encased in polished tannins. A fruity, easy to enjoy wine that features the purity of unplugged Pinot Noir fruit."
July 2014: Wine Review Online reviewed the 2011 Zero New Oak Pinot Noir: "The Charles family says that this was their coldest vintage ever, and this wine shows what the foresight of picking the fruit on time and not waiting too long and letting the vintage speak can do. It's bright and tart in a good way, with red cherry, cranberry, soft oak spice and black tea delivered over reigned in acidity. ..."
2011 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir
March 10, 2014: Wine Review Online gave our Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 89 points. Rich Cook wrote: "... it succeeds as a viscous and crisp wine that displays strawberry, cranberry and light white pepper in both aroma and flavor, and a long finish with mouthwatering acidity. It’s early picked Pinot Noir that was intended to be a rosé from the start. It’s a perfect spring salad accompaniment."
August 5, 2012: The Santa Rosa Press Democrat recommended our 2011 Vin Gris of Pinot. Wine Writer Peg Melnik penned: "This dry wine is crisp and fruit-forward. It has great acidity and a good undercurrent of spice. Refreshing."
2010 Zero New Oak Pinot Noir
March 22, 2014: The Wall Street Journal named this Pinot one of "Five Ace Pinot Noirs from Anderson Valley." Writer Jay McInerney penned: "From a fourth-generation Anderson Valley family, this perfumed, medium-bodied and perfectly balanced Pinot from the great 2010 vintage is drinking beautifully right now."
March 10, 2014: Wine Review Online awarded the Zero 90 points. The review reads: "... Aromas include black cherry, tea, damp earth, cardamom and cinnamon, with a light hint of stems adding complexity. The palate is dry, with a nice delivery on the promise of the nose, and a long well integrated finish. It’s a leaner style that will pair well with mushroom risotto and other creamy dishes."
First Quarter 2014, Issue 53: Burghound reviewed the 2010 Zero, giving it 91 points! "...A perfumed and more complex nose displays notes of spice that add breadth to the plum, red pinot and black currant scents. There is a beguiling sense of energy to the detailed, clean and fresh medium weight flavors that exhibit a saline character on the clean and agreeably dry finish. I like the balance and fine persistence. Note that this could also be enjoyed now but should reward a few years of cellar time if desired. 91/2017+"
November 18, 2013: Julia Harding MW reviewed this wine for JancisRobinson.com, writing "...Mid crimson. Fine smallberried hedgerow aromas, fruit not too sweet. Hint of spice even though no new oak. Smooth and not silky, more velvety. Full bodied but refined, fine tannins. Lively, fresh and with some earthiness. Very long. (JH)"
October 1, 2013: The Pinot Report awards this wine 93 points! "Deep ruby color; lush, deep dusty cherry with herbs and spice notes; rich, ripe cherry flavors with earthy, forest floor notes; lush texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy, rich Pinot with nice texture. This bottling is produced using no new oak; just two-year oak and older."
August 11, 2013: Vinography.com's Alder Yarrow gave this release a 9 to 9.5 out of 10 points, writing: "Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of bright raspberry and cherry fruit mixed with redwood bark. In the mouth, wonderfully bright raspberry, redcurrant, and strawberry flavors have a wonderful lift to them thanks to excellent acidity and faint tannins. The wine has amazing breadth and length on the palate. ..."
May 2013: Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar gave our 2010 Zero New Oak 90 points! Josh Raynolds wrote: "(made with no new oak): Bright ruby. Fresh cherry, blackberry and incense on the nose, with a zesty mineral note adding lift. Silky, sweet and focused on entry, with exotic dark berry and floral pastille flavors that turn richer with air. Closes on a floral note, with very good energy, dusty tannins and a touch of bitter cherry pit."
May 2013: Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences gives this wine an "Exceptional" rating. He writes: "Unoaked or used-oak styles of Chardonnay have become popular. Now we're seeing a handful of Pinots made this way. They're hard to make since they must be made from great fruit to retain varietal integrity."
May 5, 2013: PinotFile gives the Zero New Oak 90-92 points, or a Very Good rating. The Price of Pinot writes: "The Pinot Noirs have been consistently impressive and 2010 is no exception. ... No new oak, but still has a subtle oak note in the aromas and flavors. The nose offers scents of dark berries and grape jelly. Plenty of black grape, black cherry and raspberry flavor with a striking persistence on the huge, very long finish. Balanced and silky on the palate, this is a satisfying wine. Very good."
2010 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
March 10, 2014: Rich Cook of Wine Review Online awarded this wine 92 points, writing: "Winemaker Joe Webb has crafted an elegant, food friendly Pinot Noir that shows bright acidity and complexity of aroma and flavor. There is a lot going on here -- cherry, dried raspberry, tea, crushed roses and cardamom, with medium oak toast and leafy notes coming across..."
First Quarter 2014, Issue 53: Burghound gave this Pinot 89 points, writing: "...A very pretty and attractively layered nose features notes of plum and dark currant that introduce lush, even opulent middle weight flavors that possess good persistence on the delicious and reasonably complex finale. This could be drunk now with pleasure. 89/2016+"
October 1, 2013: The Pinot Report gave our 2010 Charles Vineyard 94 points! Author Greg Walter wrote: "Medium-deep ruby color; tight, earthy, dusty cherry aromas; deep, rich, earthy cherry flavors with complex forest floor notes; some toasty oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, earthy Pinot with great texture and complexity."
August 11, 2013: Alder Yarrow of Vinography.com scored this wine 9 out of 10 points. His review reads: "Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of floral and raspberry aromas mixed with wet stone. In the mouth the wine is quite elegant with refined raspberry and cherry fruit mixed with forest floor and hints of lavender and other herbs. Powdery wisps of tannins hang on the edges of the mouth. Excellent. ..."
May 2013: Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar scored this wine 91 points! Josh Raynolds wrote: "Vivid ruby. A heady, exotically perfumed bouquet evokes candied dark berries, incense and lavender, with a spicy topnote. Lithe, sharply focused black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors are deepened by a touch of licorice and become sweeter with air. Rich and vivacious, showing no obvious tannins on the long, penetrating finish."
May 27, 2013: This wine was a Santa Rosa Press Democrat Wine List find. Peg Melnik wrote: "A delicious, tangy pinot noir with bright acidity. Aromas and flavors of Bing cherry fruit, herbs and spice. Nice length."
May 19, 2013: The Examiner.com named the 2010 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir a "Top 10 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir" from our 16th annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival. Read the article, here.
May 5, 2013: PinotFile reviews the Charles Vineyard, giving it a 90-92 points, Very Good rating: "Aromas of cherries, forest floor and the slightest oak. ...Red cherries are most evident with a bright backbone of citrusy acidity and a juicy finish. Very approachable and easy to drink. Maybe comfortable is the best word. A righteous food wine. Very good."
Past Releases:
2010 Clone 05 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
October 1, 2013: The Pinot Report awarded this wine 91 points, saying "Medium ruby color; bright, delicate earthy cherry aromas; subtle, rich, earthy flavors with cherry and herbal notes; silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Subtle, silky Pinot that is drinking well now."
May 31, 2013: The Wine Spectator gave this wine 89 points. Reviewer Jim Laube wrote: "A lighter style that succeeds with pure fruit vibrancy built around ripe, snappy blueberry, raspberry and spicy cedar notes. Drink now through 2020. 125 cases made."
May 2013: Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar gave the 2010 Clone 05 Pinot Noir 89(+?) points. Reviewer Josh Raynolds wrote: "Light, hazy red. Musky, herb- and spice-accented aromas of redcurrant and dried cherry, with a peppery nuance adding lift. Seamless and sweet on the palate, with energetic flavors of red fruit, anise and rose pastille plus a touch of dark chocolate. Closes on a refreshingly bitter blood orange note, with dusty tannins and bright, tangy cut. Could use some time to unwind."
June 2012: Burghound awarded this wine 89 points, saying it's "...admirably elegant with spice and floral nuances adding breadth to the extract of red berry fruit nose. The succulent and lush flavors display good vibrancy on the supple and more forward flavors that offer fine length though not the overall depth of the regular Charles Vineyard cuvee. This is one of those wines that could be enjoyed now or cellared to good effect for 3 to 5 years. 89/2015+"
May 2012: Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded this wine 90 points! "Shows the strong acidity of Foursight's new Pinot Noirs, but also considerable deepth and lushness. Once the mouth adjusts to the acids, it's able to appreciate waves of cherries, blackberries, currants and cola, while 50% new oak adds rich notes of smoke and burnt butter. A lovely, dry and impressive wine, fine now with an hour or two in the decanter."
February 22, 2012: PinotFile gave the Clone 05 his wine geek rating for top wines, and 94-98 points: "Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Earthy, savory, and succulent dark fruits on the nose and palate with a complimentary hint of spice, and a lingering subtle note of refreshing citrus on the very long finish. Quite distinct from the Charles Vineyard blend bottling in that it is richer, slightly denser, more assertive on the mid palate, and is structurally more firm, yet the tannins are perfectly proportioned. A beguiling expression of Pommard clone that really shines the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle."
2010 Charles Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
May 2012: Wine Enthusiast Magazine gave our 2010 Sauvignon Blanc 90 points, Editor's Choice. This is the fourth consecutive year our Sauvignon Blanc has been an editor's choice wine -- all four years we've produced the wine. Steve Heimoff wrote: "Anderson Valley is better known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but the cool climate is also good for Sauvignon Blanc. Foursight's 2010 is a delightful wine, vibrant in citrus, tropical fruit and peach flavors, and there's no oak to interfere with its purity. With a finish that seems just a little sweet, it's a fine companion for Asian fare."
2009 Zero New Oak Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
September 2012: Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences recommended the 2009 Zero, saying it was "Exceptional."
June 2012: Burghound awarded this wine 89 points, saying ..."pure and quite fresh extract of dark pinot fruit nose that displays background traces of spice and floral hints. There is good energy to the solidly intense medium-bodied flavors that offer fine length on the dusty, somber and moderately firm finish. 89/2014+"
May 22, 2012: The San Jose Mercury News wrote about the 2009 Zero, recommending "...the 2009 Foursight "Zero" Pinot Noir ($38), which is more structured, with juicy raspberry flavors. ("Zero" refers to zero new oak.)"
February 22, 2012: PinotFile magazine reviewed the 2009 Zero New Oak Pinot, writing: "Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Very fruity nose featuring black cherries. Crisp and juicy black cherry and cranberry flavors with a hint of spice. Mild, soft tannins and smooth in the mouth. Lacks a little mid palate richness, structure and finishing persistence of a typical oaked Pinot Noir but has its own charm in the purity of its unplugged fruit flavor. Very good (-)." 90-93 points.
October 24, 2011: Wine writer Elin McCoy recommends the 2009 Zero New Oak as her Wine of the Week on Zester Daily. She wrote: "... Foursight winemaker Joe Webb, son-in-law to the owners, uses no new oak at all to age this wine. It's made in an old-school way with indigenous yeasts, a percentage of whole clusters, no filtering, no fining, minimal sulfur. The result is pretty, delicate and complex, with spicy strawberry and cherry flavors. It's understated and positively gulpable. ..."
October 9, 2011: The San Francisco Chronicle recommended the 2009 Zero New Oak as a top pick out of 40 Anderson Valley Pinots tasted. Wine Editor Jon Bonne wrote: "The Charles family experimented by using all older barrels for this effort, with indigenous yeast fermentation and some whole grape clusters. The tension here beautifully evokes the old high-acid Anderson Valley profile, with deep cinnamon stick, bright lemon peel and Bing cherry accents."
2009 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
November 8, 2012: Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences rated this wine as exceptional, with a "Lovely fragrance of cherry and fresh plums; the taste has a faint note of underbrush/leaves, making the wine a bit Burgundian and food friendly. Very attractive. ..."
June 2012: Burghound gave this wine 90 points, our "best of show" wine for the vintage. "This possesses the most complex aromatic profile in the range with a really lovely combination of red and dark pinot fruit, plum, violet, spice and lavender nuances. The rich, pure and restrained middle weight flavors possess excellent detail before terminating in a dusty, somber and quite serious finish that is clearly built to age. ... 90/2016+"
February 22, 2012: PinotFile gave the '09 Charles Vineyard a wine geek rating, 94-98 points. The review reads: "Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Intensely fruity on the nose featuring aromas of dark red berries and black cherries with the slightest spice, leather and oak. Picks up interest over time in the glass. Fills the mouth with broad flavors of red and black stone and berry fruits with complimentary oak-driven notes of toffee and cola in the background. Modest tannins with inviting crispness and a good cut of acidity on the finish. Flat-out great later in the day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. I like this wine for its presence without pronounced weight."
2009 Anderson Valley Dry Gewurztraminer
May 2011: Wine Spectator awarded our Gewurztraminer 89 points, with Associate Editor Tim Fish rating the wine 90 points
March 2, 2011: The Santa Rosa Press Democrat gave this wine four and half stars (out of five). "A lovely gewurztraminer with notes of peach, nectarine and hazelnut. Oily texture. Lingering finish."
January 2011: Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
August 2010: Gold Medal, Mendocino County Wine Competition, runner-up to sweepstakes white wine
July 11, 2010: The Santa Rosa Press Democrat recommends our first-ever dry Gewurzt, saying "A tasty gewurztraminer with notes of tangerine, grapefruit, lime, herbs and spice. A crisp, tart finish."
2009 Charles Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
August 2011: Wine Enthusiast Magazine rated our 2009 Sauvignon Blanc an Editor's Choice wine, 89 points. This is the third consecutive year that our Charles Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc has been selected as Editor's Choice (every vintage since our first release). The review reads: "A nice Sauvignon Blanc, crisp and vibrant, with polished flavors of citrus fruits, lemongrass, dates and honey. ... crisp and balanced."
April 24 & May 4, 2011: The Santa Rosa Press Democrat gave our 2009 Sauvignon Blanc four out of five stars, calling it "A bright, crisp sauvignon blanc with bold flavors of grass, grapefruit and lime. Balanced. Refreshing." Another review read: "A complex sauvignon blanc with aromas and flavors of lemon blossom, grass and mineral. Creamy texture. Lush."
January 2011: Silver Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
January 2011: Recommended in Food & Wine Magazine's Wine Guide 2011. "Made from grapes grown in Foursight's Anderson Valley vineyard, this wine boasts lemon, lime and orange aromas, followed by flavors of marzipan and bright, fresh herbs."
2008 Zero New Oak Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
January 2011: Medal winner, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2008 All-In Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
January 2011: Medal winner, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and American Fine Wine Competition
2007 All-In Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
July 2011: PinotFile retasted our 2007 All-In Pinot Noir, writing "Moderate reddish-purple color and clear in the glass. A nicely composed wine that has benefited from time in the bottle. Fruity aromas of fresh berry compote carry over on the palate. Juicy, silky and seamless with plenty of charm. Very good."
January 2011: Chef Magazine recommended the 2007 All-In Pinot Noir in the January 2011 issue, pairing it with a chicken rice bowl. Reviewer Marlene Rossman wrote that the dish "...will shine with this balanced, raspberry-scented Pinot Noir." You can find the recipe here (at the top of page 38).
November 2010: Recommended on Fredric Koeppel's BiggerThanYourHead.net wine blog: "...an understated beauty. Fermented with wild yeast, unfined and unfiltered, it offers a beguiling limpid ruby color that's almost transparent at the rim. Scents of lightly spiced red and black cherries hold undertones of red currants and mulberries with touches of smoke and leather. Lovely balance and integration produce an entrancing mouthful of pinot noir that glides across the palate like satin; a few minutes in the glass add notes of moss and briers, while structure and texture remain subtle and supple. The wine aged in French oak, 20 percent new, the rest two-year-old barrels and older. A pinot noir for devotees of the classic elegant fashion. ... Drink now through 2013 or '14. Excellent."
January 2010: Silver Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
October 2009: 90 points, Burghound. "A pretty and impressively complex nose features notes of ripe red berry fruit, plum and violet aromas that are trimmed in a discreet touch of wood and merge into rich, delicious and pure middle weight flavcors that possess an appealing mouth feel before culminating in a sappy and nicely balanced finish... This should reward 3 to perhaps 5 years of cellar time." -- Allen Meadows
July 2009: The Santa Rosa Press Democrat rated this wine 4 stars, highly recommended.
July 8, 2009: Rusty Gaffney of PinotFile gave this wine his Pinot Geek rating, used for only the "most complete, transcendent wines." Here's the full review: "Massively perfumed with exotic dark berries, dark mocha and spice. Discreetly concentrated and tasty dark fruit with hints of sassafras and oak. The berry fragrances and a citrus lift haunt the lengthy finish. A racy wine that is quite enjoyable now for its silky texture and impeccable balance. This one is kissed by an angel."
2008 Charles Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
November 2010: Recommended on Fredric Koeppel's BiggerThanYourHead.net wine blog: "...exceptionally clean and fresh and invigorating. It's like drinking a deconstruction of a grapefruit without being anything like a snappy, over-eager New Zealand rendition with the tang of the pulp, the slight bitterness of the pith and the oiliness of the rind, combined with a spicy tangerine-lemon element and a brilliance of limestone-like minerality. The wine is juicy and tasty, yet spare and delicate; made all in stainless steel, it radiates purity and intensity. ... Now through 2012. Excellent."
September 2010: 92 points, Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast Magazine: "Shows great acidity that really gets the tastebuds whistling, and also deep, complex varietal flavors of Meyer lemons, limes and sweet vanilla, with a green grass component in the background. Very fine and dry, an elegant, sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc of great integrity."
March 24, 2010: 4 Stars, Highly Recommended, Santa Rosa Press Democrat:" A full-bodied sauvignon blanc with notes of grapefruit, herbs, lemon, lime and spice. Lively, with a rich texture. Balanced."
January 2010: Double Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2007 Zero New Oak Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
January 2010: Silver Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
October 2009: 90 points, Burghound. Pinot Noir expert Allen Meadows gave the 2007 Zero high marks, writing: "A fresh and relatively complex nose... with lovely, balanced and pure medium-bodied flavors that possess good concentration and length on the sappy finish and mildly dusty finish. This is really very pretty and fashioned in an understated style..."
July 2009: Rated 4 stars, highly recommended by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat
July 8, 2009: PinotFile reviewed the entire 2007 Foursight line-up, calling the 2007 Zero "very tasty." Here's the full review: "A redder profile starring plentiful strawberry aromas with wisps of oak, violets and lavender. Very tasty dark red fruits with some underlying earthiness and forest floor. A solid wine with a fine texture and well-integrated tannins."
2007 Clone 05 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
December 2010: PinotFile named this wine one of its 2010 All-American Pinot selections.
January 2010: Silver Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
October 2009: 91 points, Burghound. Our 2007 Pinots had among the highest ratings as a group in the publication. About the Clone 05, Allen Meadows wrote: "The oak, if not completely invisible, has largely been successfully absorbed and allows the pretty red and blue berry fruit aromas that are nuanced by voilet and spice hints to shine. The detailed, fresh and solidly focused middle weight flavors are delicious as they offer good breadth and a finely balanced, dusty and sappy finish. ..."
December 2009: The Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded our Clone 05 90 points!
September 20, 2009: The San Francisco Chronicle reviewed their favorite 13 of more than 50 Mendocino County and Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs, and our 2007 Clone 05 Pinot was included in the favorites. They wrote: "The Charles family has quickly left its imprint with its new label. They isolated fruit from their Pommard clone and gave it extra oak. The result is smoky and heady, with allspice and cocoa accents on a dark-fruit base. Finessed tannins make it immediately drinkable."
July 21, 2009: PinotFile called our Clone 05 a sexy, man's wine: "Very sexy nose initially featuring deep berry, especially raspberry, fruit, dark chocolate and cardamon spice. A substantial wine with the most intensity and tannin in the lineup. The hedonistic core of berry and plum fruit shows a touch of grilled meat and oak smoke... this is a well-crafted Man's wine."
2006 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
February 28, 2009: The Pinot Report gave this incredible wine 91 points! There seems to be a pattern here...
January 2009: Our Pinot Noir was awarded a Double Gold Medal in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
December 5, 2008: The San Francisco Chronicle named our 2006 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir a Top 100 Wine of 2008! The article reads: "Great winemakers seem to give all the credit to their vineyards. But as we closed in on the Top 100 Wines for 2008, the winemaker's craft never seemed more important. ... 2006 Foursight Wines Charles Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($46) Kristy Charles moved back to Boonville after a successful wine-industry career in part to run a vineyard with her family and fiance. This inaugural effort is earthy and focused, in the traditional Anderson Valley style, with a mix of Bing cherry, blueberry and rhubarb. It's an auspicious debut, with plenty of delicate red fruit and a savory, smoky, nori-like nuance." - Jon Bonne
November 15, 2008: Wine Spectator called our 2006 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir a recommended recent release from Mendocino County.
October 2008: The Wine Enthusiast gave our Pinot 90 points, saying "A lovely Pinot Noir, dry and crisp, with a silky texture that provides a fine alternative to heavier reds. Shows modest cherry skin, raspberry, red currant, anise and cola flavors that disappear in a swirl of Asian spices. ..."
September 30, 2008: Wine Spectator: Foursight Wines is named one of the most promising new faces in Pinot Noir. "...we've sifted through the newcomers to profile some of the most promising. While there is a unique story behind each project, one thing is clear about the producers in this group -- they have a lot of previous wine experience. ... Most of their wines are made in small quantities, but are worth searching for."
August 15, 2008: The San Francisco Chronicle, 2 1/2 stars: "Wine marketing pro Kristy Charles moved back home to Boonville last summer not only to become executive director of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association, but also to help with this new vineyard founded by her parents Bill and Nancy Charles, and her fiance, Joseph Webb. Their inaugural effort is earthy and focused, very much in the Anderson Valley style, with a mix of Bing cherry, blueberry and rhubarb. It's a straightforward, promising debut, with plenty of delicate red fruit, and a savory, smoky, seaweed-like tinge for nuance."
August 2008: Chris Sawyer wrote a review of our Pinot in Patterson's The Tasting Panel Magazine "The exciting debut release from the Charles family, this marvelous wine features ripe flavors of fresh plum, black cherry, savory herbs, cocoa, and plenty of structure. Complex and elegant!"
July 31, 2008: The Wine Spectator, 91 points were given to our 2006 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir! "Ripe and fleshy, with a generous mix of ripe plum, wild berry and black cherry fruit that's well-centered, gaining body and complexity on the finish" - James Laube
July 2, 2008: WineSpectator.com Forum: "Just had my first opportunity to try these wines. Exciting things are happening here in Mendocino county. This is a first release - the quality of the pinot is remarkable given the vagaries of the vintage. ...2006 Foursight Pinot Noir Charles Vineyard: Nice ruby-garnet color. This wine is restrained and reticent at first, but after about an hour blossoms into a silky mouthful of cherry, wild berry, and that signature Anderson Valley cola note. Really precise, the flavors come at you in well-defined waves. Youthful, exuberant, and wild. Tasty stuff. 92 pts, good now, will get better over the next 3-5 years." Chum Lee
June 9, 2008: PinotFile, Vol. 6 Issue 60. Foursight Wines 2006 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir: "Moderately light crimson color. Red fruits, savory herbs and forest floor aromas. Red fruit-driven with cherry, cranberry and cola flavors. ... A 2007 barrel sample was tasted at the Festival and it was a knock-out with a terrific core of cherry fruit. Stay tuned to this producer, join the mailing list, and look for big things in the future."
June 2008: Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, Silver Medal. Both our wines received silver medals at this competition, where they went up against 1,700 other entries from 16 countries.
June 2008: Connoisseurs Guide to CA Wine called our 2006 Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir "hedonistic," with "sweet, slightly candied cherries with a dollop or two of rich oak. It is supple and smooth and easy to taste..."
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