This bottling was so good. Dark fruit, bright acidity, smooth silky texture. I've purchased many MacPhails over the years and have enjoyed them. But there was something special in this Wightman House. 2012 was a fantastic year in general for the regions Pinot; wishing I had picked up more of this because it is doing so well right now.
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I'm always torn when it comes to "delicious wine" vs. "tastes like a wine made from this grape/region should". The notes from users lespaul and hosscrow from earlier this year provide ample insight into these perspectives; I agree with both on the flavor profiles, and I could go either way on punishing or rewarding via my rating as they did. Since IMO it's an enjoyable wine and it has evolved nicely, and it's not like I didn't know what style James makes when I bought the wine, I can't complain after the fact. It was damned good, and consistent with the winemaker's intent.
And to ya'll who are still holding, honestly, I doubt that it's going to get better than it is right now. If you haven't opened one in a while, I suggest you do. You'll enjoy it in any case.
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All McPhail Pinots are delicious. This one from Anderson Valley is my favorite. Medium ruby red moving away from the rim. Highly aromatic notes of bright red cherries, tea, clove, forest floor. Inviting. Medium to full bodied, soft texture, but full of flavor. Tangy acidity mixed with red fruits and spice make for a mouth filling experience. Beautifully balanced on the extended finish with lots of flavors. Well-made and complex, this wine was even better on the second day. Hold for a few more years.
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I was excited about this wine on release, and hoped it was a harbinger of Macphail's working more with Anderson Valley fruit. But unfortunately the heavy-handed house style (which I'm sometimes in the mood for) overwhelms any nascent AVA or vineyard characteristics. Big, dark, brooding, viscous, oaky California Pinot Noir. Very good as an example of that winemaking style, but not distinctive.
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Well-made wine, and I'm enjoying it much more than when I had on release. Seems to be silkier, more integrated. Musky, even smokey characteristics coming through - not unpleasant, but certainly on that leathery tobacco side of the spectrum. Still lots of Pinot character, if a bit generic. Probably not a long term ager, but I would expect another 2-3 years of life in this wine.
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Dark ruby color turning violet/crimson at the rim. Very deep, complex nose of wild raspberries, burnt caramel, Anderson Valley earth, leather, tobacco, dried herbs and persistent spice. The palate is medium-bodied; silky in texture; structured; explosive with flavors of spicy cherry, raspberry, licorice, cigar box, and vanilla. Very heightened, brightly acidic, and persistently intense until the end of a very, very long layered finish that just brings you back to the beginning! Drink now with a 45-minute decant until 2027.
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Much better than the bottle I had a year ago...seems like this wine has settled down considerably. The heat is gone, as is most of that excessive spiciness.
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This one was a doozy...massive wine with big earthiness and spicy tones. Also a little hot. This could be really good in two or three years when the wine settles down. But I can't say I wasn't warned; in the winemaker notes he states, "this wine is not for the faint of heart".
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4/16/2021 - VinoAddict wrote:
This bottling was so good. Dark fruit, bright acidity, smooth silky texture. I've purchased many MacPhails over the years and have enjoyed them. But there was something special in this Wightman House. 2012 was a fantastic year in general for the regions Pinot; wishing I had picked up more of this because it is doing so well right now.
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10/10/2018 - Leomania Likes this wine: 91 Points
I'm always torn when it comes to "delicious wine" vs. "tastes like a wine made from this grape/region should". The notes from users lespaul and hosscrow from earlier this year provide ample insight into these perspectives; I agree with both on the flavor profiles, and I could go either way on punishing or rewarding via my rating as they did. Since IMO it's an enjoyable wine and it has evolved nicely, and it's not like I didn't know what style James makes when I bought the wine, I can't complain after the fact. It was damned good, and consistent with the winemaker's intent.
And to ya'll who are still holding, honestly, I doubt that it's going to get better than it is right now. If you haven't opened one in a while, I suggest you do. You'll enjoy it in any case.
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1/29/2018 - hosscrow Likes this wine: 94 Points
All McPhail Pinots are delicious. This one from Anderson Valley is my favorite. Medium ruby red moving away from the rim. Highly aromatic notes of bright red cherries, tea, clove, forest floor. Inviting. Medium to full bodied, soft texture, but full of flavor. Tangy acidity mixed with red fruits and spice make for a mouth filling experience. Beautifully balanced on the extended finish with lots of flavors. Well-made and complex, this wine was even better on the second day. Hold for a few more years.
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1/12/2018 - LesPaul Likes this wine: 87 Points
I was excited about this wine on release, and hoped it was a harbinger of Macphail's working more with Anderson Valley fruit. But unfortunately the heavy-handed house style (which I'm sometimes in the mood for) overwhelms any nascent AVA or vineyard characteristics. Big, dark, brooding, viscous, oaky California Pinot Noir. Very good as an example of that winemaking style, but not distinctive.
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6/15/2017 - rickfell-new Likes this wine: 93 Points
very nice
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4/17/2017 - King of all vines wrote: 92 Points
Jimmy Laube missed the boat on this one. Now way 89 points.
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10/14/2016 - LesPaul wrote: 88 Points
Well-made wine, and I'm enjoying it much more than when I had on release. Seems to be silkier, more integrated. Musky, even smokey characteristics coming through - not unpleasant, but certainly on that leathery tobacco side of the spectrum. Still lots of Pinot character, if a bit generic. Probably not a long term ager, but I would expect another 2-3 years of life in this wine.
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8/27/2016 - wendyinwlv wrote: 95 Points
Love this wine! Clean, fresh and drinking great right now. Beautiful cherry nose and full bodied, but subtle taste going down.
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2/9/2016 - rbradleypate Likes this wine: 94 Points
Well made wine that is probably peaking right now. Deep dark fruit and layers of flavor evolve in the glass. Excellent wine!
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9/11/2015 - bigdogflow Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasted at tasting room at The Barlow (great setting). Nice wine.
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5/25/2015 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 95 Points
Dark ruby color turning violet/crimson at the rim. Very deep, complex nose of wild raspberries, burnt caramel, Anderson Valley earth, leather, tobacco, dried herbs and persistent spice. The palate is medium-bodied; silky in texture; structured; explosive with flavors of spicy cherry, raspberry, licorice, cigar box, and vanilla. Very heightened, brightly acidic, and persistently intense until the end of a very, very long layered finish that just brings you back to the beginning! Drink now with a 45-minute decant until 2027.
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3/31/2015 - SMZ wrote: 92 Points
Much better than the bottle I had a year ago...seems like this wine has settled down considerably. The heat is gone, as is most of that excessive spiciness.
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1/8/2015 - trucrime wrote:
Single Pommard clone. Very focused. Nice tannins, espresso bean, restrained fruit.
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4/12/2014 - SMZ wrote: 90 Points
This one was a doozy...massive wine with big earthiness and spicy tones. Also a little hot. This could be really good in two or three years when the wine settles down. But I can't say I wasn't warned; in the winemaker notes he states, "this wine is not for the faint of heart".
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