February 17, 2023 - in a beautiful spot. vibrant and punchy - there has to be some whole cluster ferm going on. The balance is spot on and it has a resonant depth to it. Just a touch of medicinal cherry (that I tolerate), but other than that an excellent showing.
December 14, 2022 - This drank really well last night, and held its own in a side by side with a 2010 Bouchard Volnay
September 27, 2022 - Not showing obvious signs of age, but this 2010 McDougall was muted -- both on the nose and palate. A pleasant pinot noir, but not much more.
September 22, 2022 - Somewhat better with some aeration, but overall pretty faded and disappointing given that I took it to a lunch with some Pinot lovers.
July 10, 2022 - Kutch Verticals--Trout Gulch, McDougall and Falstaff: Vertical (non-blind) of McDougall, 2010 -2021. We did not taste the 2011 (no one owned it) nor 2014 and 2018 (stupid COVID forced the owners to have to miss the tasting) and the 2021 was a tank sample that Jamie pulled for us and shipped down for the tasting (being bottled next week so it's the final composition). I notice that I have had this many times now since release but that the most recent bottle didn't suit me. I kind of feel the same way here, although the bottle last night seemed fresher to me. It does have the astringency of the previous bottle, and is a touch peppery. The cherry fruit just seems a little old in tone and honestly I would rather drink the newer releases.
July 18, 2021 - I like it. Elegant structure and flavor profile. A Burgundian feel — in fact, lighter than a premier cru Volnay I tasted last night. Pleasing flavors of red cherries and roasted sesame oil. Drink or hold.
July 3, 2021 - Quite Burgundy-like, but a little more pebbery and dark. Actually more Baden-like than Sonoma-like on the nose. Very smooth and elegant. Fully mature now. Great bottle.
October 24, 2020 - Consistent with previous tasting notes.
May 2, 2020 - Coravined one glass to pair with a medium rare rib eye. At the 30 min mark, an elegant nose of cherry and rich cola waft with an even strength portending a wine in mid-stride. The smooth mouthfeel melts into wonderful meaty notes of apple and dark cherries gliding into a long savory finish and full-body deliciously balancing the tasty rib-eye. As pairings go it is an enjoyable change of pace versus the more traditional Napa Cab. No question to it age-worthiness, this wine is in a great place right now with many more years to run. A wine in full.
March 7, 2020 - The 2010 was popped and poured immediately following the ‘11 Sonoma Coast and drank fabulously. Deep, rich black raspberry nose, meaty full-body mouthfeel with rich texture of dark fruit flavor. This wine showed a measured strength and structure that was a joy to drink. Everything about this wine was a joy to drink: a great bouquet on the nose, full-body and smooth enjoyment on the palate and a nice long savory finish. Fantastic at 10 years, there was so much in this pour that I would have no problem checking in on this beauty at another 5 or 10 year interval.