2010 Andersons Conn Valley Eloge

The Eloge program has always been Anderson’s Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend. From a late harvest (through the first week of November), the 2010 Eloge is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot aged 24 months in wood. Its dark plum/ruby color does not possess the saturation of the Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. Plenty of jammy blueberry, black cherry and wild mountain berry fruit set it apart from previous vintages of this cuvee. Medium-bodied and more Euro-centric in style, it is an attractive albeit lower-keyed, down-scaled version of Eloge. It should drink well for 10-12 years. Since I last tasted the wines of Conn Valley Vineyards, the excellent winery tucked away in the backwaters of Conn Valley, there has been a complete label makeover. Tel. (707) 963-8600

Although naturally still very much a baby, the 2010 Eloge offers significant potential. Juicy dark cherries, flowers, spices and French oak all emerge from the glass. Today, the French oak is a bit dominant, but that should be less of an issue over time, as the balance of fruit, acidity and tannin is superb. Violets, menthol and sage are some of the nuances that add complexity to a huge, resonant finish. There is plenty of potential here.

The 2010 Eloge is another juicy, harmonious wine. The aromatics and flavor profile are darker than the 2009, while the wine has more weight than its younger sibling. A vein of chalky minerality frames the long, insistent finish. In 2010 the blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot.