McHenry Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir Grapes September 2002
"McHenry Vineyard This producer was a new find for me. I just love the style of Pinot Noir here - full of finesse and modeled after the wines of Volnay in the Cote de Beaune of France. Henry McHenry is an anthropology professor at the University of California Davis and quite a charming man whose personality is reflected in his wines. The McHenry Vineyard on Bonny Doon Road was planted in 1972 by Dean, Jane, Henry and Linda McHenry. The old vines produced numerous awards including best Pinot Noir in the state at the California State Fair. The vineyard succumbed to Pierce’s Disease in 1992, but was replanted in 1997, the last summer of senior partner Chancellor (UC Santa Cruz) Dean McHenry’s life. The 2003 McHenry Estate Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir (13.5% alc., 172 cases, $19.50) was aged for nearly two years in Francois Freres oak barrels and a year in bottle before release. The winemaker, Henry McHenry said it best: “A delicate and graceful wine with a soft fruit scent. It has a velvet texture and reminds one of great Volnay in its tenderness, subtlety, and floweriness.” I just flipped over this as well as the 2004 vintage which has yet to be released. This is a perfect example of what Pinot Noir can be, but so rarely is. A lightly colored, elegant wine that is blessed with striking flavor and complexity. The price is just ridiculous considering the quality. Luckily, I bid and won the double magnum of this wine and had Henry sign the label. Sometimes Pinot speaks to you."