2022 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley
Tasting Notes
The 2022 wine was a big achievement in the Moran Manor vineyard. After multiple years of drought, we were seeing the vines struggle to produce a big crop. This run of small harvests required some adjusting. We watered earlier in the season to help the vines set a big canopy, and then we backed off on irrigation as the season progressed, to gain more concentration in the grapes. The result was a success, as we filled 4 full barrels from our Estate vineyard.
This bottling features all the best characteristics of our vineyard. The initial aromatics are driven by the strawberry jam notes from the Merlot. The Cabernet adds austerity and the dense notes of blackberries and currants. So much of the structure of this wine is derived from the tannins of the Cabernet. This wine has jammy qualities but still drinks in the medium-bodied realm. Even with the dense, robust flavors of this wine, the chemistry is balanced with medium tannins, lively acidity, and striking color.
This is 100% grown by the Moran family at our vineyard in Knights Valley. You have 10+ years to enjoy this wine.
Specs
Vintage: 2022
Varietals: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot
Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Alcohol: 14.5%
2021 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley
Tasting Notes
Without a doubt, the best thing about the 2021 vintage was no wildfires. Harvest and winemaking are much more straightforward without the complications of smoke and evacuations. The clear skies were a relief, while the 5th consecutive drought year created some pluses and minuses for farming.
Grapevines are incredibly resilient, and ours simply adjusted to the dry circumstances. Without abundant groundwater, the vines created a more compact canopy than they normally would. Then they formed smaller clusters and set a smaller crop. The grapes were incredibly concentrated this year, and that’s a good thing.
Another major benefit of the dry weather was that for the first time ever, we elected not to spray for mildew. It was a great decision. Even with no spray, we had no mildew challenges. 2021 is a landmark for Moran Manor because we had absolutely no vineyard inputs at all. It’s about as organic as farming can get. The only things we used in the vineyard were our hands, clippers, and a lawnmower that we pushed ourselves.
The concentration shows up in this wine. There are red berry notes and dark berry notes. There are cherries and strawberries, but also blackberries and currants. This wine has jammy qualities but still drinks in the medium-bodied realm. Even with the dense, robust flavors of this wine, the chemistry is balanced with medium tannins, lively acidity, and striking color.
This is 100% grown by the Moran family at our vineyard in Knights Valley. You have 10+ years to enjoy this wine.
Specs
Vintage: 2021
Varietals: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot
Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Alcohol: 14.8%
2020 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley
Tasting Notes
In a harvest miracle, we harvested our grapes the day before wildfires exploded in the area, saving the vintage. 2020 featured a long, warm, dry growing season, and the wine shows off some of that ripeness.
Aged for 18 months in 25% new French Oak barrels, the wine has figs, baked berries, herbs, and spice features.
This is 100% grown by the Moran family at our vineyard in Knights Valley. You have 10+ years to enjoy this wine.
A baby who wouldn’t sleep began the Moran family’s sojourn into the wine business. As a two-year-old, John Moran was impossible to get to sleep. Like a lot of parents, we tried to cure him of this by taking him for long car rides. From San Francisco, those rides always went north into some of the prime wine-growing regions of the world.
One rainy Sunday and 90 minutes outside of the city, we came upon a large white Victorian home in the middle of a beautiful valley we had never before visited. The house stood out like a pearl in the oyster. When we reached the property, there was a large FOR SALE sign out front. The rest, as they say, is history. We bought the house and the surrounding twelve acres and started two projects: the development of a small winery and the restoration of the house.
Today, Moran Manor is a small family-owned vineyard located in Knights Valley, Sonoma County. The estate is owned and operated by us - Rich and Carol Moran and our four children. Oldest son Brady Moran took over as vineyard manager in 2018.
Now committed to making just 4 barrels of red wine each year, our 1-acre vineyard is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Syrah. Our first vintage of Anagram, our classic red blend, was released in 2002, and we have been learning and growing and going strong ever since…
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend Vertical
3 bottles for $64.99 $21.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Received notice from UPS that a package was on the way. I saw that it was a 4 pounder from WCC and knew immediately that it was a labrat bottle. Also knowing that they are usually sent last minute with little time to secure the package before the offer goes live, I quickly selected delivery to an access point before the package had even started on its journey. In the past, I have found that redirecting UPS packages generally delays them by at least 1 day and I was hoping to avoid this. Instead, I apparently confused UPS and they thought that the drop-off location was the access point. After I saw today that the package was stuck in Petaluma, I called UPS and alerted them that the access point is in OH, not CA, and that they needed to poke somebody to get the package moving again. They said they would have “dispatch” get it back into the shipping stream and it looks like eventually they did manage to do that. I have no idea if the package is going to the access point I selected or my old home address, neither of which are convenient and I changed my shipping address for Casemates about a week before the labrat bottle was shipped but apparently the labrat program didn’t get them memo. I would not have had to redirect it in the first place if they had gotten the address correct.
The tracking now shows delivery by end of day tomorrow but I have to take my step-kid to the airport in the afternoon and have plans to go out for the evening. Labrat fail. UPS fail.
@chipgreen@davirom Wine Country Connect has a contract with UPS IIRC. Not part of the mehtaverse for shipping best I’ve been able to figure out.
It probably helps that the WCC warehouse is literally across the road from the local UPS hub.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend Vertical - $60 = 23.07%
Happy New Year!
Great way to start off the year with a surprise package!
Usual tasters with me. Mom, who likes non tannic reds. Dad, who likes big bold tannic reds.
PNP
Color- We all agreed, Rust, brickish
Aroma- very faint, we were having difficulty identifying anything. I was getting a very light cherry and maybe a hint of cocoa powder.
Taste- Tannic with a hint of cherry and unripe blackberry.
The aftertaste left our mouths dry and felt like we had eaten unripe blackberries. Simple flavor profile, not a complex wine. Thin mouthfeel.
Vinturi
Aroma- seemed almost non existent. Dad thought it had a hint of honey.
Taste- tannins definitely mellowed. Didn’t really do much to enhance the flavor profile. Still had that tart flavor and aftertaste
Final Thoughts-
We were wondering if this wine needs to age a bit more or if it needs to be decanted for a while?
The wine reminded us of a House Wine you might find at a restaurant.
Unfortunately this is not the wine that will make me break my wine buying moratorium.
Have to go back to work today, but will be checking periodically if there are any questions I can answer.
Thank you Alice and WD for the New Year surprise!
I hope everyone has a wonderful year!
Happy New Year’s to all!
Our New Year’s started off right with a surprise Thank you Alice & WineDavid
We received and enjoyed the 2021 Moran Manor Anagram.
On pnp not to much aroma but no alcohol heat either. After opened for 20-30 minutes started to smell more cherry. Nice ruby color.
Taste- Smooth balanced non tannic blend. Definitely tasted more red fruit. Definitely the Cab shines for me. Not a fruit bomb or complex wine. Went well with the teriyaki pork tenderloin and new year’s black eyed peas…lol. Down south here in FL
As stated above we enjoyed this wine and realized to late none to taste for day 2.
If we had not purchased many other great offers (think our UPS driver is starting to judge lol) since Thanksgiving would partake in this offer. Pricing is good for a every day nice drinker.
Thank you again for the opportunity! Happy New Year’s and cheers to all
I still have some 2005 and 2007 in the cellar. These are powerful wines built for the long haul. They can lay down for 20-30yrs easy. Highly understated wines.
I noticed that the blend percentages and oak have significantly changed from the 2005-7 period to today’s vintages on offer. Also, those offers featured bottles with a decade+ age. After-sale commenters revealed significant bottle variation. This offer differs in so many ways from those, to include a major price increase. I’d appreciate learning how the winemaker’s aims & approach have evolved during the '05-'22 period. I’m tempted but need a push to purchase & cellar for quite some time (based on past vintages). QPR anyone?
(BTW, the kindly provided Ah-So included with the '05/'07 proved necessary but worth it.)
So, the '06 in '25, at 19.
Notes pretty much follow my 2020 notes on CT.
Still plenty of life here. Aging gracefully, not the most complex but resolved tannins give a bit of pucker and decent acidity remain, with red fruits.
Cork pulled with a Durand, but an Ahso would have worked as well. Plenty of sediment on the bottom of the cork, but pours clear, no browning at the rim; no funk, no faults.
Life expectancy now diminished, as one would expect; I’d now put this in the drink sooner category.
Tannins still there and leave a bit of dryness, but also diminished. Fruits still peaking out, and I think the syrah component may be equal to that of the CS.
If you like a well aged red, this works well.
[edit]
Had this with some leftover Beef Wellington with fresh pan fried baked potato and onions and b-sprouts.
Good pairing and made the wine considerable more enjoyable than solo.
If the current offer ages anything like this '06 had, it’s a buy.
2022 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
2021 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
2020 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$600.00/Case for 4x 2021 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley + 4x 2020 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley + 4x 2022 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley at Moran Manor Winery
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jan 27 - Tuesday, Jan 28
Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend Vertical
3 bottles for $64.99 $21.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2020
2021
2022
Wow, a blast from the past! I remember ratting the 2007 of this. Curious to hear from the rats.
@hscottk definitely a blast from the past! We enjoyed the 2005s and 2007s previously offered, I’m looking forward to some rats!
@hscottk @knlprez some of the best wine I’ve had was from that sale years back. I still have one (or two) of each downstairs
Received notice from UPS that a package was on the way. I saw that it was a 4 pounder from WCC and knew immediately that it was a labrat bottle. Also knowing that they are usually sent last minute with little time to secure the package before the offer goes live, I quickly selected delivery to an access point before the package had even started on its journey. In the past, I have found that redirecting UPS packages generally delays them by at least 1 day and I was hoping to avoid this. Instead, I apparently confused UPS and they thought that the drop-off location was the access point. After I saw today that the package was stuck in Petaluma, I called UPS and alerted them that the access point is in OH, not CA, and that they needed to poke somebody to get the package moving again. They said they would have “dispatch” get it back into the shipping stream and it looks like eventually they did manage to do that. I have no idea if the package is going to the access point I selected or my old home address, neither of which are convenient and I changed my shipping address for Casemates about a week before the labrat bottle was shipped but apparently the labrat program didn’t get them memo. I would not have had to redirect it in the first place if they had gotten the address correct.
The tracking now shows delivery by end of day tomorrow but I have to take my step-kid to the airport in the afternoon and have plans to go out for the evening. Labrat fail. UPS fail.
@chipgreen Side note re: SideDeal. I ordered a couple of decanters and they are being shipped FedEx. So the UPS relationship is not monolithic.
@chipgreen @davirom Wine Country Connect has a contract with UPS IIRC. Not part of the mehtaverse for shipping best I’ve been able to figure out.
It probably helps that the WCC warehouse is literally across the road from the local UPS hub.
@chipgreen @davirom @klezman
Got my shipping notice today as well; also FedEx
@chipgreen @klezman @rjquilliin
I can’t see how that is material. Way bills are generated electronically and any shipper will have to send a truck to pick up the goods.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend Vertical - $60 = 23.07%
YUM
2022 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend
Happy New Year!
Great way to start off the year with a surprise package!
Usual tasters with me. Mom, who likes non tannic reds. Dad, who likes big bold tannic reds.
PNP
Color- We all agreed, Rust, brickish
Aroma- very faint, we were having difficulty identifying anything. I was getting a very light cherry and maybe a hint of cocoa powder.
Taste- Tannic with a hint of cherry and unripe blackberry.
The aftertaste left our mouths dry and felt like we had eaten unripe blackberries. Simple flavor profile, not a complex wine. Thin mouthfeel.
Vinturi
Aroma- seemed almost non existent. Dad thought it had a hint of honey.
Taste- tannins definitely mellowed. Didn’t really do much to enhance the flavor profile. Still had that tart flavor and aftertaste
Final Thoughts-
We were wondering if this wine needs to age a bit more or if it needs to be decanted for a while?
The wine reminded us of a House Wine you might find at a restaurant.
Unfortunately this is not the wine that will make me break my wine buying moratorium.
Have to go back to work today, but will be checking periodically if there are any questions I can answer.
Thank you Alice and WD for the New Year surprise!
I hope everyone has a wonderful year!
@mommadeb I was curious as to which one it was
@mommadeb off bottle perhaps? Would be nice to see if other rats echo your notes but UPS has other ideas it seems.
@mommadeb Sure would be helpful were you to identify which of the three vintages you ratted…
@rjquillin
Sorry. It was really early this morning.
2022
What can Brown do for you?
@chipgreen You may never see this delivery.
@chipgreen I am confident that you will still post if your bottle eventually shows up
2021 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend
Happy New Year’s to all!
Thank you Alice & WineDavid
Our New Year’s started off right with a surprise
We received and enjoyed the 2021 Moran Manor Anagram.
On pnp not to much aroma but no alcohol heat either. After opened for 20-30 minutes started to smell more cherry. Nice ruby color.
Taste- Smooth balanced non tannic blend. Definitely tasted more red fruit. Definitely the Cab shines for me. Not a fruit bomb or complex wine. Went well with the teriyaki pork tenderloin and new year’s black eyed peas…lol. Down south here in FL
As stated above we enjoyed this wine and realized to late none to taste for day 2.
If we had not purchased many other great offers (think our UPS driver is starting to judge lol) since Thanksgiving would partake in this offer. Pricing is good for a every day nice drinker.
Thank you again for the opportunity! Happy New Year’s and cheers to all
I still have some 2005 and 2007 in the cellar. These are powerful wines built for the long haul. They can lay down for 20-30yrs easy. Highly understated wines.
@winesnob
likewise, 5, 6 & 7
I’ll see if I can find an '06 this evening
2006 offer:
2005, 07 offer:
WW offer: https://wine.woot.com/offers/moran-manor-knights-valley-red-3-pack
I noticed that the blend percentages and oak have significantly changed from the 2005-7 period to today’s vintages on offer. Also, those offers featured bottles with a decade+ age. After-sale commenters revealed significant bottle variation. This offer differs in so many ways from those, to include a major price increase. I’d appreciate learning how the winemaker’s aims & approach have evolved during the '05-'22 period. I’m tempted but need a push to purchase & cellar for quite some time (based on past vintages). QPR anyone?
(BTW, the kindly provided Ah-So included with the '05/'07 proved necessary but worth it.)
@takethefarm
Thanks for the link!
So, the '06 in '25, at 19.
Notes pretty much follow my 2020 notes on CT.
Cork pulled with a Durand, but an Ahso would have worked as well. Plenty of sediment on the bottom of the cork, but pours clear, no browning at the rim; no funk, no faults.
Life expectancy now diminished, as one would expect; I’d now put this in the drink sooner category.
Tannins still there and leave a bit of dryness, but also diminished. Fruits still peaking out, and I think the syrah component may be equal to that of the CS.
If you like a well aged red, this works well.
[edit]
Had this with some leftover Beef Wellington with fresh pan fried baked potato and onions and b-sprouts.
Good pairing and made the wine considerable more enjoyable than solo.
If the current offer ages anything like this '06 had, it’s a buy.
I bought a case. The 2006 from a few years ago was amazing. It was also15 years old so this may need to rest a while.
/giphy progressive-crafty-fog
