2012 Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo
Community Tasting Note
csimm wrote:
Friday, April 30, 2021 - 3 days in Napa: Arkenstone, Memento Mori, Maxem, The French Laundry, Christopher Tynan, Kinsman, Harlan, Vice Versa, Accendo, Fairchild, Macdonald, and a truckload of others (Napa): Two years since I've last sampled this juice. One of the most phenomenal wines I’ve had all year, the 2012 Tynan MG absolutely soars from the glass with aromas of ripe blackberries and earth. On the palate, this is a stunning expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. Unreal levels of concentration and intensity expand and drive massive but controlled flavors of blackberry, earth, campfire, pencil lead, and spice. Loaded with so much complex flavorings undulating repeatedly, with a mid-palate drop that lingers on and on, cruising through to a finish that lasts even longer. The density and concentration is matched only by the complete drive and concerted speed by which the flavors are executed.
This is exceptional winemaking my friends and it just goes to show with a few years of bottle age what Tynan is able to produce with the MG. If you happen to have this vintage of MG, consider yourself extremely lucky. If you have more than one, then slap yourself and thank your lucky stars you scored on these when you did. I would encourage those to muster up a bit of courage and pop the cork and see what’s under the hood on one of these bad boys because it is absolutely without question one of the wines the vintage. It’s just starting to come into its optimum drinking window now and will drink exceptionally for decades. 99-100 points.
During this trip, I was continually impressed with all of the wines we were fortunate enough to drink. I will say also that there were three wines in particular for me that totally crushed my cranium with their unbelievable representations of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 Harlan, 2012 Tynan MG, and 2018 Macdonald were next-level juice that dominated the landscape even among their otherwise remarkable peers.
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Comment posted by mkwineguy:
7/25/2021 4:33:00 PM - Csimm... we seem to have traveled a similar path. I worked 7 harvests in Napa and was Chris’ first retail customer. Have every wine this amazing winemaker, and truly good soul has made. Proud to call him my friend. His 12’s, including his only St Helena are exceptional wines. Chers to many more memorable wines and moments!
Comment posted by csimm:
7/25/2021 5:24:00 PM - Hi mk! You are a lucky duck for sure! I absolutely love Tynan’s wines and the 2012 MG is amazing. I would love to get some orphan bottles from him for my cellar but I got on the bandwagon after that vintage unfortunately. I have a couple ‘12 Reserve left that are also fantastic. He has been kind enough to host us a couple of times now and I’m always grateful for his total graciousness every time. A quality guy for sure! Hope to cross paths with you one day! Cheers!!
Comment posted by mkwineguy:
7/26/2021 2:32:00 PM - His St Helena Reserve is drinking so well right now. If you like Syrah, his 2016 Judge is soaring now and sure to be special for years into the future! We have not touched his MGs from 13, 15 and 16 yet, but greedily consumed the 12s and 15s. Drink well! Heading out in a few weeks...
Comment posted by csimm:
7/26/2021 2:52:00 PM - The 16 Judge is a head-turner for sure. I am actually drawn a bit more to the 2015 for its more Hermitage-esque profile, though I think the 2016 will be a marathoner worth checking out in a decade+. His Syrahs have great freshness and focus I think.
Comment posted by mkwineguy:
7/26/2021 3:27:00 PM - Drank all the ‘15. Very impatient as I grow older. Lol. Plus no room here in Fl. Have four full Eurocaves.
Last harvest was 17, and cannot wait 20 yrs any more! Worked first harvest for Russell Bevan and five more for Aaron Pott. Lots of wines from those guys, Chris, TRB, Lagier Meredith, Mike Officer, Andy Erickson and Phillipe Melka. Plus, love Italian, Bordeaux, Bandol and Rhones.
Need a second liver! So much wine, so little time!
What r your favs?
Comment posted by csimm:
7/27/2021 8:32:00 AM - Those are all solid producers. I've been in and out with all of those producers at one time or another over the years. Out of Napa, I've been partial to Macdonald, Melka (Tusk, Vice Versa), Tynan, Kaplan, and most recently Kinsman. The cellar still has some Bevan, Fayard, Mike Smith, Benoit. For Central Coast CA it's SQN and Fingers Crossed. Abroad, white Burg and Champagne dominate the cellar at the moment. I like to have a mix of wines in the cellar because I'm a foodie and love to have some versatility with the wine options and whatever food we are having. I do have a special place in my heart for Rhone (CdP and Hermitage) as well.