Quick TN: 2005 McHenry Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard

WINE TALK
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  • 2005 McHenry Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (9/10/2009)
    Same as it ever was (which is really good) but the midpalate seems to have expanded a bit in this bottle. Sour cherry and cranberry, earth/pine and a acidity that keeps the wine bouncing on the back of the tongue for a nice, long time. QPR of the year for me.

Posted from CellarTracker

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+1
And, let’s not say too much. [berserker.gif] Keep this on the dl a bit longer. $27 bottles of wine that drink like twice the price.

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I miss the days when they sold the Estate and Massaro stuff for under $20. But as you said, Dennis, it’s still pretty ridiculous for $27.

Just had the 06 for the first time last weekend and, of course, it didn’t disappoint. We tasted it up against a Burg and another Santa Cruz Mountains pinot, both of similar price points, and this was my favorite of the three. It has the rich round fruits of the other SC Mtns pinot, with the subtle earthiness of the Burg all rolled into one. I found it to be much more approachable than its siblings at this same early stage. At this point, it is still too early to tell what that means for its long term potential, but it certainly makes for fantastic drinking right now.

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Good to know, Jeremy. Just emailed Linda about the '06s, but have not heard back.
Did you try the Swan too, or just Estate?

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[oops.gif] The Swan Clone was the one that we had.

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[quote=“Dennis Atick”]
Good to know, Jeremy. Just emailed Linda about the '06s, but have not heard back.[quote]

August 29, 2009



Dear all,



We are proud to announce the release of the two 2006 Estate Pinot Noirs. They are so characteristic of our wines from the Bonny Doon area where we have been making wine since 1980. We are also happy to have more wine available this year.

Henry and Linda McHenry


2006 Estate Pinot Noir

We are pleased to announce the release of our 2006 Pinot Noir. As our vineyard has matured, the wines have grown in complexity. We harvested from our non-irrigated vineyard between September 15 & 17 at 23.5 degrees Brix, 1.0 total acidity, and 3.3 pH. Fermentation lasted 7 days. The wine rested for 21 months in 60 gallon Francois Freres French oak barrels.


The aroma is complex and intense with a hint of black cherry. It has an elegant balance with a ripe fruit taste of blueberries and cherries. The finish delights the palate as only great Pinot Noir can.

Wine available: 74 cs (This is the wine for tastings and direct sales.)

Alc. 12.8%

Price: 27.50 per bottle



2006 Estate Pinot Noir, Swan

The grapes for this wine came from cuttings from both Dijon 115 and Joe Swan’s vineyard. Both are planted on their own roots. In 2006 the clusters were exceptionally small with flavor-packed berries.

We picked on September 14 at 24.3 degrees Brix, 0.9 total acidity and 3.4 pH. The wines rested gently for 21 months in Francois Freres French oak barrels.

The aroma is complex and intense with hints of raspberry and sweet lavender. It has a rich, ripe fruit, black cherry taste and a lovely, long, and complex finish. This reminds us of the young 2003. Put some away.

Wine available: 82 cs (Wine for tastings and direct sales.)

Alc. 13.8%

Price: 32.00 per bottle

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Ah, the plot thickens. I imagine that Swan is rocking. Thanks.