2011 Kutch Pinot Noir Mc Dougall Ranch
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch brings together the richness of the Falstaff with some of the aromatic lift found in the Savoy. The most complex and nuanced of these 2011s, the McDougall Ranch is every bit as impressive as it was last year. Mint, rose petal, spice and plum notes wrap around the textured, beautifully layered finish.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Presented by Jamie Kutch. Vineyards just 2.5 miles from the sea and at 900 ft, giving high luminosity and high levels of photosynthesis. Dijon clone 114 planted in 1998. Shallow soils, very little water if any. Kutch suggest that with irrigation it is very hard to get ripe stems, which are essential when he does 80% whole cluster. Foot trodden, ambient yeast, malo in barrel. Aged sur lie for 10 months in French oak, 50% new. Sutble, sweetish red fruit but not that extreme California sweetness that I used to find was a giveaway for CA Pinot Noir in blind tastings. Finely scented on the mid palate and the tannins are fine-grained but still give a definite grip at the moment. The finish is attractively dry and leaning towards savoury. (JH)
The highlight among these current and upcoming releases, Jamie Kutch's 2011 Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch is drop-dead gorgeous. Savory herbs, dried flowers, black cherries and licorice all jump from the glass in this deep, layered wine. The 75% whole clusters come through only in the bouquet, as the fruit is so intense, they are barely noticeable on the palate. The balance of fruit, acidity and tannin is exceptional. I can't wait to see how McDougall Ranch ages. It is clearly one of the most impressive wines of the vintage.
Latest offering from this interesting new producer (whose wines are available in the UK). Fully ripe but not overripe fruit with attractive balance, some light tannins but is already broachable. Lightly perfumed. (JR)