My last bottle of sundawg ridge that James Macphail made (as off 2015 the Hess winemaker took over). It went beautifully with brined and grilled pork loin with peach/burata/mint salad! Love this. Feels like saying goodbye to an era and very much enjoyed it.
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We loved MacPhail both enjoying their wines & visiting. This was our last bottle & it was also the best. Everything we love about about fine Pinots from single vineyards that MacPhail excelled at. Fruity, spicy, mouthfeel & long finish all there. Hope they make a comeback as they will be missed.
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Big red fruited RRV pinot. Exactly what I expect from this bottle. Reasonable ABV and not hot. I will miss this winery when my remaining bottles are drank. And the folks in the tasting room in Sebastopol were just great.
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Interesting McPail from the last year that James McPhail was the winemaker before leaving the label. I liked it, different than many other Russian River fruit forward Pinot noirs. Nose: almost petroleum, oily, tar, before the ripe strawberries take over. Taste: ripe strawberry, honey, balanced by the right amount of acidity and spices (hint of nutmeg. cloves?), and nice lingering taste. I had it with some hard cheese after dinner, but imagine it would be nice with duck and cherry sauce to bring out the sweet, umami/game taste. Will try that next time...
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7/8/2023 - Explorateur Likes this wine: 92 Points
My last bottle of sundawg ridge that James Macphail made (as off 2015 the Hess winemaker took over). It went beautifully with brined and grilled pork loin with peach/burata/mint salad! Love this. Feels like saying goodbye to an era and very much enjoyed it.
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12/27/2021 - agsdlswine Likes this wine: 94 Points
We loved MacPhail both enjoying their wines & visiting. This was our last bottle & it was also the best. Everything we love about about fine Pinots from single vineyards that MacPhail excelled at. Fruity, spicy, mouthfeel & long finish all there. Hope they make a comeback as they will be missed.
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12/18/2021 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 93 Points
Unfortunately last bottle. At its prime - great balance without being overly fruit forward.
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11/17/2021 - Armando B wrote:
Big red fruited RRV pinot. Exactly what I expect from this bottle. Reasonable ABV and not hot. I will miss this winery when my remaining bottles are drank. And the folks in the tasting room in Sebastopol were just great.
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9/26/2021 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 92 Points
big red for a pinot - I like it that way
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3/7/2021 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tastes of slightly less ripe fruit than many pinots, which I find appealing. Nice lingering taste.
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10/3/2020 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 92 Points
drank side by side with 2016 Gary Farrell. Both excellent but the MacPhail was better balanced. Nice lingering taste.
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9/28/2020 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great balance, solid earthy nose and taste. not bright fruit in a good way.
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9/26/2020 - Justinwine wrote: 92 Points
Same notes. Viscous red juice. Delicious.
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7/24/2020 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 91 Points
nice robust pinot noir - drinking well now, but should be good for several years at least.
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6/12/2020 - Explorateur Likes this wine: 91 Points
Interesting McPail from the last year that James McPhail was the winemaker before leaving the label. I liked it, different than many other Russian River fruit forward Pinot noirs. Nose: almost petroleum, oily, tar, before the ripe strawberries take over. Taste: ripe strawberry, honey, balanced by the right amount of acidity and spices (hint of nutmeg. cloves?), and nice lingering taste. I had it with some hard cheese after dinner, but imagine it would be nice with duck and cherry sauce to bring out the sweet, umami/game taste. Will try that next time...
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4/15/2018 - wendyinwlv wrote: 88 Points
Enjoyed it, but a bit one dimensional. Wait a while to try the next bottle.
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