Community Tasting Notes 57

• thesternowl wrote: 93 points

  August 27, 2021 - This particular bottle was purchased at the winery during our visit back in 2019. We were fortunate considering they rarely host visitors due to the size of their operation. Popped and poured, the 2005 Estate appears a dark translucent garnet, slightly hazy and browning just a touch on the rim. Medium+ intensity with a huge nose of bruised strawberries, sun-ripened bramble fruit and mushrooms. Some VA is present but this is not unusual from this producer. With additional air, the nose becomes even more complex with tomato leaf and coniferous forest floor. On the palate, this is bursting with ripe fruit confirming the bruised strawberry and brambles though most on the dried end of the spectrum with baking spices in a combination reminiscent of fruit cake. Some leather and mushrooms present as well. The finish is dry, saline and so, so long with a sort of Blood orange thing going that’s wonderfully compelling. High acid. Medium (+) tannin. Pair very well with dry rubbed grilled chicken. While this should easy see it’s 20th birthday it’s simply fantastic right now and fully mature.

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• dubdub wrote:

  August 26, 2017 - Beautiful, this is ageing very well. Still a very pretty wine, flowery and fruit have made way for more mature mushroom, dried herbs. Lovely.

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• scott davis wrote: 93 points

  February 1, 2015 - Medium bricking-crimson in color. There are perfumed aromas of ripe cherries and berries with an exotic spice and floral accent. On the palate, flavors of cherry pie glaze, dark red berry jam, cola, spice, and complimentary oak are present. Delicious, round, and polished with plenty of enticing sappy dark red and black fruit and a two minute finish.

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• scott davis wrote: 93 points

  October 15, 2013 - Crimson and light brown in color, with aromas of cherry, strawberry, roses, and subtle new oak. On the palate, red berry fruits, black tea, forest floor, and baking spice provide plenty of stuffing around soft tannins and perky acidity. Delicious.

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• IJC Likes this wine: 93 points

  October 4, 2013 - Delicious. An absolutely charming wine - exhibiting all of the characteristics one could ask of a Pinot Noir: the promise of aromatics of red and dark fruit fulfilled in taste and complemented by secondary notes of citrus, with the slightest suggestion of earthiness later on; multi-layered with a finish that lingers, and beckons one to drink more. So light of weight, could easily be confused for a Burgundy, or perhaps more to the point, atypical for California.

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Pro Reviews 2

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2005
• Type Red
• Producer McHenry Vineyard
• Varietal Pinot Noir
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard Estate Vineyard
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Santa Cruz Mountains
• Appellation Santa Cruz Mountains

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 6 (2%)
• In Cellars 31 (11%)
• Consumed 239 (87%)

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