2011 Tulocay Pinot Noir Haynes Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (4) Avg Score: 89.5 points

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  8/28/2016 - IJC Likes this wine:

  This was drunk outdoors, at the end of summer in rural Connecticut.
  
  Dark in the glass, and more dark than red fruit on the palate. Paired with a grilled steak, it stood up to the challenge of a highly touted CA Merlot that seemed fat and fuzzy by comparison. I won't offer detailed tasting points, other than to note it brought to mind memories of drinking many vintages of this wine, outdoors at Tulocay on warm summer days.
  
  Rated 1 on a scale of -1 to 3.

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  4/19/2015 - oakville72 Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Notes Christmas Day 2018: This Pinot is still enigmatic, kind of like an awkward teenager between childhood and 20-something. Because of its relative high acidity compared to most California Pinots, it seems to be on a mission of going somewhere but not quite there. Those who are used to the soft, sweet, oaky Pinots made for early drinking will be disappointed. But true Pinotphiles knowledgeable of the history of the Haynes Vineyard will recognize that this is a wine on a journey, and it's taking its damn sweet time getting there.
  
  Original notes: Tulocay Pinots are some of the most Burgundian in style that hail from California. Attribute this to Bill Cadman's longtime Pinot supplier, the Haynes Vineyard in the Coombsville District, as interpreted by Bill's traditional style of winemaking. This isn't always apparent when the wines are young, but as they gain in age their complexity emerges. As stated in other reviews, the alcohol is a relatively modest 13.1% and the acidity on the palate is noticeable. Right now hints of cinnamon come thru along with low-yield, mature vine Pinot Noir richness. Currently intriguing and seductive, this wine has a long way to go before it yields its full potential.

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  12/25/2013 - kevinacohn wrote:

  Private Dinner (Drumore, PA): Unsurprisingly, not a whole lot different than a month and a half ago: a vibrant wine with notes of red currant and other red fruits, fresh herbs, and just a touch of sweet oak. Light to medium body, medium acidity, light to medium alcohol. Still very delicious. It didn't change much with considerable air, unlike other vintages I've had. It doesn't go well with chocolate-covered pretzels, in case you were wondering. RECOMMENDED.

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  11/9/2013 - kevinacohn wrote:

  Tulocay Winery Visit (Tulocay Winery, Napa, CA): I've tasted many vintages of this great wine—including 1976, the second vintage—so I'd like to think I know it well. The 2011 is a fantastic effort and a return to form for this artisan Pinot. The alcohol level is down to 13.1% (from the high 14s and even 15s), but it retains the zippiness and structure needed to age well. A beautiful herbaceous, violet, and red currant-driven bouquet leads to a light, ethereal palate with refined fruit and great balance. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

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