2009 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch- USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (1/5/2012)
Gorgeous red and black fruit nose with a hint of wet stones. Silky and soft up front, but the tannins are somewhat aggressive on the finish. A bright future ahead. Wait 3-5 years to try another bottle. Long juicy finish. 92-93 points. (92 pts.)
6 days is close to the max I push this bottling as well. On day 7 it still holds but on day 8 I have found that it finally begins to dip. It’s my belief that the wines ability to maintain it’s composure for such a prolonged period of time equates to proving that it should easily see it’s 20th+ bithday… I just hope there are some bottles still around at that point for people to experience. I bottled a dozen 3L’s and look forward to seeing where they are when I am your age.
I would note that I don’t find that the wine is a wall of tannin. It is still approachable on a pop and pour but does have more bite than your average domestic Pinot. It is a departure from past wines I have produced where they have been rather soft.
Ouch! It sneaks up faster than you might expect, my friend!
Just for that, when you are my age, I expect you to share one of those 3L with me. Of course, you’ll have to bring to me in the home, and bring a long straw, but you’d better be there! (And bring your pretty wife! I’m sure I’ll be an old letch by then . . .)
Yes, Ken, what Don said—thanks for taking this one for the team. I took possession of my first bottle today, it will sleep for a while I’m sure. Good to know it is good stuff out of the gate, though…with those 6 days
I am working on the final touches and hope to get the offering out in the next 10 days. For the 2010 vintage I have the following wines which I will release: