Kutch Verticals--Trout Gulch, McDougall and Falstaff

Kutch Verticals--Trout Gulch, McDougall and Falstaff.Full tasting non-blind of verticals. We had a few wines missing because of a few of our guys got sick with COVID the day before the event

• 2009 Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Nature Cuvée Starck

  France, Champagne

  Second time I have had the 2009. I've really enjoyed it both times. 1/3rd Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir from Cumieres. No dosage. Lemony, with a creamy edge and wet stone. Crisp yet with a good imprint of fruit. I really like how the acidity freshens the wine, adding the lift. This just hits me perfectly, right in the lane for the Champagne style I like to drink--balance, medium weight, bright, all the descriptors I end up when I have a really good Champagne in my glass.. I'm going to break down this week and get some locally that continues to be available. There is also 12 locally so time to revisit that, and I see now that the 2015 is coming out. Truthfully, and I mean no negativity or faint praise, but I would rather drink this Starck bottling than Cristal.

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• 2017 Kutch Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Part of the vertical we did (non-blind) of Trout Gulch, 2017 -2021. We did not taste the 2016 (no one locally owned it) and the 2021 was a tank sample that Jamie pulled for us and shipped down for the tasting. Spicy lemon, cut green apple and a leanish, taut pineapple. This seems more like the 2020 to me, built much different than say the 2018, 2019 and 2021, which are more concentrated. Finishes with green apple and lemon peel. My hunch is that this is gonna be fine for a while but in terms of concentration and intensity, it's just built less with those features and more ready to go.

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• 2018 Kutch Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Part of the vertical we did (non-blind) of Trout Gulch, 2017 -2021. We did not taste the 2016 (no one locally owned it) and the 2021 was a tank sample that Jamie pulled for us and shipped down for the tasting. Chris Seiber sitting next to me said this reminded him of oranges and he is right. Of all 5 of the wines, this seemed to reflect it, although tasting the 2021 towards the end of the night, I found that wine to be running along the same orange pathway. Lemon oil, spicy. And this is not so much green apple but instead yellow apple. And some green banana and tangy pineapple. Really complete wine here and very good.

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• 2019 Kutch Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Part of the vertical we did (non-blind) of Trout Gulch, 2017 -2021. We did not taste the 2016 (no one locally owned it) and the 2021 was a tank sample that Jamie pulled for us and shipped down for the tasting. This starts reductive (much like the 2018 and 2020). This showed a richness to me, very spicy and lots of concentration. Pineapple, lemon curd, spicy green apple and banana. The reduction early on influenced the palate, as if it is flavoring the wine. With air, there is a light imprint of caramel that I sensed, too. I find this very similar to the 2018, just a little bit leaner yet brighter. My final note I jotted has the word 'pure' underlined. Some preferred the 2018 better last night, but I tend to like the 2019 better.

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• 2020 Kutch Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Part of the vertical we did (non-blind) of Trout Gulch, 2017 -2021. We did not taste the 2016 (no one locally owned it) and the 2021 was a tank sample that Jamie pulled for us and shipped down for the tasting. This was just offered this week so it will ship in Fall. This reminds me of the 2017, leaner in that way. And my notes say more aligned with a Chablis-like expression, although I think I was the only one who sensed it this way of the group? Has the same kind of reductive aromatic too as the 2018 and 2019. Citrus, lemon peel, rich pear and wet stone. Doesn't have the opulence of the 2018, I find the 2020 more cerebral and finely tuned. Savory, citrus finish. With air this did pick up some weight.

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• 2021 Kutch Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Part of the vertical we did (non-blind) of Trout Gulch, 2017 -2021. We did not taste the 2016 (no one locally owned it) and the 2021 was a tank sample that Jamie pulled for us and shipped down for the tasting. This 2021 will be bottled in late Fall. Early on this started off with a savory lime, lean pineapple and a little bit of dissolved CO2. And the light amount of new oak this sees was still transmitting a bit of butterscotch into the finish. I then went back to taste this again at about the 3 hour mark and I thought this had really come together, to start to show what might be predictive of where this is headed. There is a rich opulence, kind of like the 2018. Apricot, pear, yellow apple and orange, which is very much like 2018 showed.

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• 2010 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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.

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• 2012 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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). Cinnamon and floral aromatics. And the whole cluster is still giving this wine a residual herbal feature. Cedary plum, herb, strawberry and juicy. There is also a thickness to this wine, a density of power and jammy note to the finish. 5-7 years ago I was a fan of this wine and the 2012 Falstaff but I just don't enjoy the ripeness alongside the whole cluster anymore.

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• 2013 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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). Last had two years ago and I would say the wine is still moving along the same flavor lines, perhaps now showing some of the tones of age since that time. Dark plum, snappy berry with a tangy edge. There is some creamy red berry still here but the cedar and age is beginning to overtake it. Spicy cinnamon and some influence of stems in the finish, both that help create length.

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• 2015 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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). This ratchets up the density and power. Lots of fruit that is wrapped around the whole cluster that remains. The fruit tone here is a mix of blue and red, with savory leather from the stems I presume. It reminds me too of the juicy quality of the 2012.

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• 2016 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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). Hey, hey. My favorite of the flight, along with the 2019 and 2021. What I notice about the 2016 is that the whole cluster is not all that present as I had found it in the previous vintages we tasted. Instead, the hard cherry candy and raspberry are the features of the wine. And whereas the other vintages show a darker plum and that herbal tone, here there is pomegranate. This is not the density of the 2012 or 2015 as this shifts into a better balance for me, lighter framed. Then the finish, where the blue fruit is more evident. Really good and delicious.

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• 2017 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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). Floral. The ripeness and the intensity of the fruit is evident. The fruit shifts from the red/blue of the 2016, instead to an addition of black. A spicy note comes into this vintage too. It seems to me to show sweeter, and the only vintage where I found a cola note. Juicy like 2012 and 2015. My sense is now that the 2017 is going to be a shorter ager, and a riper version of McDougall. I have one left and I will put this onto the drink sooner list.

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• 2019 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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). Aromas of purple flowers. Juicy and spicy. And after tasting the 2017 right before this wine, I can sense now how the vintage comes through in both. In 2017, the fruit is red and black whereas in the 2019 it shifts back to a red tone with the blue edges, which is what I prefer in McDougall. Has some of the same spicy cinnamon/cardamom too that I find in this wine from other vintages. Has the hard cherry candy of the 2016, along with the weight and tactile feel of the 2016. Juicy and fresh, with some tannin in the finish. Very good.

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• 2020 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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). This was just offered this week for shipment in the Fall, Jamie sent it down for us to have an early look at the wine. Darkish colored, even a little bloody tone in the aroma. Pomegranate and cranberry with good acid. And as I taste it some more, seems more purple fruit toned, with my notes saying that the black tones comes through like the 2017, yet in the 2020 the balance, depth and power is better. Finishes juicy with a touch of brewed coffee/cocoa on the finish, which I find unusual given the emphasis by Jamie in using old wood on the wine. As I look at my notes this morning, I seem to be kinda all over the place with my descriptors and with nothing to retaste today.

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• 2021 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  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). Purplish rose in color. Raspberry and blueberry flavors with the zippy acidity of 2020, along with the 2020's purple fruit imprint. Red apple skin, it really comes through in this vintage, and I believe of all the McDougall this was the first one to show that note. And the stem inclusion for this vintage is 50%, and for me this really makes a difference as the stems are not overt as they were in 2012 and 2015. Gorgeous at this stage...think power, with acidity and a purple fruited frame.

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• 2010 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Vertical (non-blind) of Falstaff, 2010 -2021. We did not taste the 2011 (no one owned it) nor 2014 and 2019 (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). Tangy cedar, blackberry and cherry. Light browning at the rim yet the berry notes are still fresh. Overall, this is holding together well but I'm glad I was able to share this from my cellar, as it's my final one and it's more appealing to those who liked aged wines than someone like myself.

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• 2012 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Vertical (non-blind) of Falstaff, 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). Cherries, still plenty of acidity, The density of the vintage shows, much like the 2012 McDougall. Jammy red fruit, still life ahead.

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• 2013 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Vertical (non-blind) of Falstaff, 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). Little cloudy, just a touch of browning. Juicy and fruity with a tang. Some of the stem is involved here, it adds the herbal signature. The core of this reminds me some of cherry pop-tart filling. No fade, good energy. I do like the 2013s as along with the 2016, these are my two favorite earlier vintages of both Falstaff and McDougall.

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• 2015 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Vertical (non-blind) of Falstaff, 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). Darkish in color, stemmy nose. Density and power are both here. It's like a cloak of savory, dark fruit laying over a juicy texture. The finish shows a mix of red and black fruit that is framed by the herbal note of the stems. And, there is still a good dose of tannin here.

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• 2016 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Vertical (non-blind) of Falstaff, 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). Whole cluster floral aromatic. This has a ripeness that is not overt but it creeps up on the palate, with the whole cluster seasoning the wine. This has an intriguing density that is not heavy but it is jammy. Reminds me of the 2016 McDougall, in its weight and fruit expression. Would like to have retasted this today.

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• 2017 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Vertical (non-blind) of Falstaff, 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). This is so much better for me than the 2017 McDougall. And, I have always liked this version of Falstaff so it's not a surprise that the wine resonated with me. Yeah, there is some ripeness here, but it's a fleshy kind of blue and red fruit with intensity, along with a savory and deeply juicy core. Finishes with a stony character, with the blue tone really coming through. Fantastic again.

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• 2018 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Vertical (non-blind) of Falstaff, 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). Has a mix of density with a black/red hard candy. Then, the tang of sour cherry works its way through the finish. A few more tastes and then I can sense more of the fruit bowl feature, with a reinforcing flavor of kiwi. Just all kinds of fruit colors coming through.

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• 2021 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Vertical (non-blind) of Falstaff, 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). This is very fresh, with purple flower aroma, and some incense from the whole cluster. Plenty of delicious concentration here, a mix of red, blue and black fruit. With more swirling, the fruit comes better into focus, with the cherry/red coming forward. Pure and concentrated, finishing with blueberry, juicy with good tannin. I suspect, like the 2021 McDougall, that Jamie has refined once again his style, getting the whole cluster better dialed in and this wine shows that result. Both of these wines seem like real winners to me, with a lot to give.

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