Mendocino County

Medium

Cork

White

Winemaker Arnaud Weyrich says it took nearly 20 years to decide to release a single-vineyard bottling under the Roederer Estate label. The wine was first released with the 2020 vintage, so this is the second vintage-dated release. This wine is drawn from a single-vineyard selection at Clark Road Vineyard, a cool Anderson Valley site located roughly 11 miles from the Pacific Ocean and typically harvested relatively late in the growing season. ‘It’s a great spot for Pinot,’ says Weyrich, ‘with acidity just beginning to drop, yet the grapes are highly flavourful and phenolically ripe.’ The wine is sourced from a small selection of blocks within the vineyard. Importantly, the focus here is less on soil type and more on site conditions: the former apple orchard is east-facing, benefiting from generous sunlight and a cooling marine influence, though sheltered from direct ocean winds—cool but protected. Fermentation is carried out partially in casks (7%), with a small portion of reserve wine aged in casks (4.8% from the 2018 vintage). The wine was disgorged in December 2024 after 30 months on the lees, with a dosage of 5.5 g/L. Exceptionally expressive on the nose, it opens with bright apple orchard fruit, ripe pear, and hints of apricot, while cherry notes emerge on the palate. A beautifully mineral-laced mousse gives the wine energy and balance, complemented by a subtle phenolic grip—suggestive of baking spice and apple skin tannins—set against racy acidity. That grip is neatly cushioned within the wine’s layered fruit and textural richness, bringing both precision and drive.

Chardonnay

Pinot Noir

Roederer Estate, Clark Road Vineyard, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley, California, USA, 2021

Winemaker Arnaud Weyrich says it took nearly 20 years to decide to release a single-vineyard bottling under the Roederer Estate 

Roederer Estate, Clark Road Vineyard, Mendocino County

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