Jay Kline

9.4

If you’ve been following me on CT or Delectable for while, you’ve probably read some of my tasting notes on the Pinot Noirs from McHenry Vineyard. Few are aware that this special vineyard, way up on Bonny Doon Road, even exists. Fewer probably know that the McHenry family have been quietly producing wine from this vineyard for over 40 years. It has never been easy. Not only are the vines own-rooted, they have also had to deal with some devastating fires over the years. And yet, despite the challenges, the McHenry’s remain committed to growing Pinot Noir and making truly special wine.

As I have mentioned in the past the winery was destroyed by the CZU Lightening Complex Fire in August of 2020. The vines survived but no wine from the vineyard was made that year (obviously). While the winery gets rebuilt, the fruit from the McHenry Vineyard has been made with care by their neighbor, Ryan Beauregard. The McHenry’s are still making a lot of the decisions but they are working around the Beauregard’s schedule. 2021 represents the first year of this collaboration and the results are nothing short of incredible.

Popped and poured; consumed over the course of a week with the help of a “Repour” stopper. A little austere on Day 1 but it was obvious the quality was super high and unmistakably McHenry. As hilarious as this may read, this was best on Day 7. The 2021 Swan Clone pours very pretty ruby with medium viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beguiling aromas of the tiniest forest strawberries, dark cherries, anise, some tomato leaf, some beets, a touch of clove, a mix of red and purple flowers, limestone minerals and some beautiful, soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts forever and it’s got a lovely savory thing going on. This is a wow wine with a long, bright future ahead. You can drink now with patience but this will drink best after 2026 and probably be stunning through 2040. How will I keep my hands off my remaining bottles? Only 100 cases were produced.
— 4 months ago

Shay A

9.4

Finally able to try Cobb. Pinot is extremely hit or miss for me, but I know I enjoy them on the fresh side, close to the coast and with whole cluster use.

Pop and pour. 12.3ABV. Translucent red/purple in the glass. Checks off all the boxes mentioned above…extremely fragrant. Gorgeous floral notes on the nose. Crunchy red fruits, potpurri, herbal and spice from the whole cluster use, mint and black tea. Bright and nervy acidity with good tannin on the finish. For how low the ABV is, it has perfect weight and doesn’t come across lean simply for lean sake. Followed from bottle over two hours and stayed strong. Wonderfully made and definitely my style. — 7 months ago

Bryan Kesting

9.4

Soft red fruit and drinking beautifully. — 4 months ago

Austin

9.4

An elite Pinot noir with layers of complexity that excite the mouth taste of cherry, cranberry, with a surprisingly delicious earthy finish — 5 months ago

Doug Powers

9.4

Lovely, complex dried red cherry fruit, some earthiness as well, this seems mature and more evolved than the 1996, but absolutely great length and depth, wonderful! — 6 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.2

Stopped by Joseph Swan for a quick tasting flight this afternoon, this wasn’t on the flight but since the 2013 Syrah was so fabulous, picked up a bottle of the 2011 to pair with some great cheese we bought, this shows inky color, mostly black fruits, complexity yet still so very young, medium-long finish, 11 years old going on 3, needs more aging!! — 2 years ago

with Jim

Karen Tripson

9.0

Dry and refreshing — 5 months ago

Eric Jasso

9.0

Perhaps too young at 9? Cranberry almost orange creamsicle like nose with thicker jammy body notes of licorice all throughout and a sharp finish — 5 months ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Rich dark fruits, this has quite ripe fruit, just a touch of noticeable ABV, sweet finish, very good, but I’d like a tad less alcohol. — 6 months ago

with Jim

Lisa McKinnon

9.1

We know Joseph Swan, so this wasn’t a tough choice. Smooth, only slightly fruit forward. Great whether we were having pasta with lamb or red fish. — a year ago