McHenry Vineyard
Swan Clone Pinot Noir
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
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.
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.
The 2014 McHenry “Swan Clone” pours a garnet color with translucent core and medium viscosity. Medium+ intensity…nearing high intensity with some signs of VA which is not unusual for this producer. Fascinating notes of cherry cola, cool damp earth, mushrooms, sandalwood, saw dust, and Szechwan chili sauce on the nose. One the palate, the wine is dry with high acid and medium tannin. Notes of tart cherry, tart plum, bergamot and some mild baking spice. Just a touch thin for my liking, but I’m being really picky because there’s a lot to love here for me. Only 80 cases made.
The 2014 McHenry “Swan Clone” pours a garnet color with translucent core and medium viscosity. Medium+ intensity…nearing high intensity with some signs of VA which is not unusual for this producer. Fascinating notes of cherry cola, cool damp earth, mushrooms, sandalwood, saw dust, and Szechwan chili sauce on the nose. One the palate, the wine is dry with high acid and medium tannin. Notes of tart cherry, tart plum, bergamot and some mild baking spice. Just a touch thin for my liking, but I’m being really picky because there’s a lot to love here for me. Only 80 cases made.
Nov 7th, 2021This is my first experience with the 2017 Swan Clone, a wine that hasn’t been made since 2014. The wine pours a hazy garnet. Soaring aromatics on the nose. One can almost smell the red woods that surround this tiny 2 acre vineyard perched high up on Bonny Doon Road only a handful of miles from the Pacific Ocean. A beguiling combination of fresh, bruised red forest berries and pie crust. On the palate, very primary with a mix of red and dark fruits with some earth and a touch of baking spice. Medium tannin and high acid with a long, saline finish. The finish just goes. Even better with food, this is a wine with a long future. It’s always a treasure to drink the Pinot Noirs of McHenry. Only 48 cases made.
This is my first experience with the 2017 Swan Clone, a wine that hasn’t been made since 2014. The wine pours a hazy garnet. Soaring aromatics on the nose. One can almost smell the red woods that surround this tiny 2 acre vineyard perched high up on Bonny Doon Road only a handful of miles from the Pacific Ocean. A beguiling combination of fresh, bruised red forest berries and pie crust. On the palate, very primary with a mix of red and dark fruits with some earth and a touch of baking spice. Medium tannin and high acid with a long, saline finish. The finish just goes. Even better with food, this is a wine with a long future. It’s always a treasure to drink the Pinot Noirs of McHenry. Only 48 cases made.
Aug 16th, 2021No formal notes as I drank this bottle in a line-up of other great wines but oh man, woman and child...these are killer right now. Balance and authenticity typical of McHenry; leaning more towards the darker edge of the red fruit profile. This has depth that I rarely find in Pinot Noir short of drinking one of Hubert Lignier's stunners from M-S-D. I realize that seems like an exaggeration but it's the honest to God truth. Structure that will allow this to last for another decade and possibly longer. My WOTN with the 2014 Rafanelli Zinfandel and NV Christopher Tynan "Le Sucrier Velours" a close second (or third, if you will). Only 96 cases produced.
No formal notes as I drank this bottle in a line-up of other great wines but oh man, woman and child...these are killer right now. Balance and authenticity typical of McHenry; leaning more towards the darker edge of the red fruit profile. This has depth that I rarely find in Pinot Noir short of drinking one of Hubert Lignier's stunners from M-S-D. I realize that seems like an exaggeration but it's the honest to God truth. Structure that will allow this to last for another decade and possibly longer. My WOTN with the 2014 Rafanelli Zinfandel and NV Christopher Tynan "Le Sucrier Velours" a close second (or third, if you will). Only 96 cases produced.
Mar 26th, 2020Strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, grapefruit, freshly cut grass, nail polish remover, hint of barnyard...this is what Pinot Noir can do when you have the land and a soft hand. Brilliant.
Strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, grapefruit, freshly cut grass, nail polish remover, hint of barnyard...this is what Pinot Noir can do when you have the land and a soft hand. Brilliant.
Jun 27th, 2019Dark and red fruits with baking spice. Plenty of character and staying power. Need more!
Dark and red fruits with baking spice. Plenty of character and staying power. Need more!
Jul 8th, 2018
Nice light bodied great acid Pinot. Touch barnyard and matchstick in the first 5 minutes, but after that a devilishly good wine. I'm kicking myself for not buying a case to let more of it age.
Nice light bodied great acid Pinot. Touch barnyard and matchstick in the first 5 minutes, but after that a devilishly good wine. I'm kicking myself for not buying a case to let more of it age.
Jul 13th, 2014Fruity. Lighter. Feel badly I don't appreciate it more. 🍓🍒🍑
Fruity. Lighter. Feel badly I don't appreciate it more. 🍓🍒🍑
Dec 15th, 2017