May 5, 2013
Cork Dork Etude: Inspired Wines of the Carneros the Gardener: Got Organic Grapes? Bravium: Relish the Acidity Rivers-Marie: 2010 & 2011 Reflect the Challenges of Farming on the Edge Dunstan Wines from Durell Vineyard Foursight Wines: Family Excels with Pinot COBB Wines: No Wine Before Its Time Sips of Pinot: Wines Tasted Recently Rosé and Chardonnay: Recently Sampled Wines Pinot Briefs
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McIntyre Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Kimberly McIntyre, Steve McIntyre |
| Web site | www.mcintyrevineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
Steve McIntyre has three decades of experience in sustainable winegrowing in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The McIntyre Estate Vineyard is located in the central section of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Originally planted by the McFarland family in 1973, it contains some of the oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Steve McIntyre acquired the 80-acre property in 1987.
37 acres are own-rooted Pinot Noir heritage clone, oldest in the Santa Lucia Highlands. 10 acres of Pinot Noir 115 and 77 and 13 acres of Chardonnay 96 and 76.
Some of the Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes are set aside for the McIntrye Vineyards label and some is sold to producers such as Morgan, De Tierra, Joullian and La Rochelle. The first vintage for McIntyre wines debuted with the 2005 vintage.
Other vineyards sourced for the McIntyre Vineyards label include Mission Ranch Vineyard (Arroyo Seco) and Kimberly Vineyard (Arroyo Seco).
Steve and his wife Kimberly started Monterey Pacific, Inc., a viticulture management and development company which has grown to be the fifth largest vineyard management company in the U.S. at over 10,000 acres. Steve was one of the initial founding members of the Central Coast Vineyard Team's Sustainability in Practice (SIP) program.
The winemaker is Byron Kosuge. The wines (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Sparkling) are sold through the winery's website store.
Articles About McIntyre Vineyards
Affairs of the Vine Pinot Summit Results (8.35 4/11/2011)
Along the Pinot Trail in California: Part I - Central Coast (9.8 6/24/2012)
California Chardonnay (9.8 6/24/2012)
Pinot Shootout Finals Tasting (8.30 1/27/2011)
Sips of California Pinot Noir (9.18 1/19/2013)
Reviewed Wines
2011 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.79% alc., pH 3.51, 517
cases, $28. Dijon clone 76. Vinified at Copain Winery in Santa Rosa by Byron Kosuge. Whole
cluster pressed. Fermented in new Siruge French oak barrels. Aged 8 months. 100% MLF.
·
Golden
straw color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon curd, baked pear and banana pudding. Tasty
core of pear, lemon-lime citrus, toffee and a hint of banana framed by bright acidity producing a juicy
wine with a crisp finish. Good (+).
Reviewed January 19, 2013
ARTICLE »
2011 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.62,
241 cases, $36. From the SIP Certified McIntyre Vineyard. Dijon clone 777 and 115. Indigenous yeast
fermentation and indigenous bacteria malolactic fermentation.
·
Deep, dark purple color in the glass.
Very fragrant with intense aromas of blackberry jam, black plum sauce, black currants, spice and darkly
colored rose petals. Just gorgeous. Delicious earth bound flavors of black plum, blackberry and black
currant with a very subtle citrus note on the finish. Full-bodied, but not heavy or jammy. Very soft and
ephemeral in the mouth with gossamer tannins and impeccable balance. This wine really speaks of the Santa
Lucia Highlands.
Reviewed January 19, 2013
ARTICLE »
2011 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Block K-1 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.43% alc., pH 3.43, TA
0.69, 100 cases, $38. Whole cluster pressed, fermented in new Siruge French oak barrels and aged 8 months
where it underwent full MLF.
·
Golden straw color and clear in the glass. Shy, but clean aromas of wet stones,
peach, butter and acacia. A little more body and intensity than the regular Estate bottling with pleasing flavors
of lemon, white peach, brioche, toffee and vanilla, offering a slightly creamy mouthfeel, and finishing dry and
smooth. A Chardonnay that could benefit from a little more time in the bottle but hard to resist now. Very good.
Reviewed January 19, 2013
ARTICLE »
2010 McIntyre Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.3% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.69, 290 cases, $28.
Released winter 2010. Winemakers Steve McIntyre and Byron Kosuge. From the Home Estate, the oldest
Chardonnay plantings in the Santa Lucia Highlands. 100% MLF, aged 8 months in barrel.
·
Light straw color and clear in the glass. Very muted
nose, offering demure aromas of baked apple, citrus peel, peach and fresh brioche. More expressive on the
palate, with flavors of baked pears, honey, lemon and toffee. Light and reserved in style with zippy acidity.
Decent.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Block K-1 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.43, TA
0.69, 100 cases, $38. Released winter 2010. From the oldest Chardonnay plantings in the Santa Lucia
Highlands. Dijon clones 96 and 76. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 8 months in new Siruge French oak barrels, 100% MLF, Winemaker is Byron Kosuge.
·
Light straw color and clear in the glass.
Reserved aromas of lemon curd, white peach and marzipan. Tasty, with modest flavors of lemon, toast and
roasted nuts, finishing with reasonable intensity and offering refreshing acidity. A little more body and interest
than the Estate bottling. Good (+).
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.63, 240 cases, $38. Predominantly Dijon clone
777. Indigenous yeast fermentations. Crafted by Byron Kosuge.
·
Dark
reddish-purple color in the glass. Opulent aromas of black cherries, black
raspberries, cardamom spice and toasty oak. Pumps out the fragrance
consistently over time in the glass. Very tasty core of dark cherry and
dark berry fruits with a subtle hint of oak toast and vanillin in the background.
Smooth and luxurious on the palate with soft, restrained tannins and some
persistence on the finish. Very drinkable now, but the balance predicts a long
life ahead.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 McIntyre Vineyards East Block 3 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.65, 100 cases,
$46. Released spring 2011. Sourced from select lots of the 60-acre estate sustainably farmed home
estate vineyard. Native yeast fermentation. Owner and grower Steve McIntyre. Winemaker Byron
Kosuge.
·
Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Alluring aromas of dark berries, plum pudding and
subtle oak. Delicious middleweight flavors of black raspberry, blackberry and black plum wrapped in soft
tannins, finishing with remarkable fruit presence on the lengthy finish. Impeccable balance. Can age
but drinkable now.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2008 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
390 cases, $36.
·
Deep perfume of plum
reduction sauce, wild berries and a hint of oak. Delicious and plush dark red stone fruits and berries with a
substantial tannic backbone and a dry finish that clings to the palate.
Reviewed January 27, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 McIntyre Vineyards Mission Ranch Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.64,$36. Released spring 2011.
Clone 667 from Mission Ranch Vineyard. Vinified by Byron Kosuge.
·
Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Perfume of
dark red cherries, berry glaze, leaf and oak. This wine offers only a glimpse of its future potential. A little rustic
and closed down now, but showing sparks of flavorful purple and black fruits caressed by supple tannins.
Better and better over time in the glass. The velvety texture is very pinotesque. Cellar or decant if you must
open now. Very good.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2011 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.79% alc., pH 3.51, 517 cases, $28. Dijon clone 76. Vinified at Copain Winery in Santa Rosa by Byron Kosuge. Whole cluster pressed. Fermented in new Siruge French oak barrels. Aged 8 months. 100% MLF. · Golden straw color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon curd, baked pear and banana pudding. Tasty core of pear, lemon-lime citrus, toffee and a hint of banana framed by bright acidity producing a juicy wine with a crisp finish. Good (+). Reviewed January 19, 2013 ARTICLE »
2011 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.62, 241 cases, $36. From the SIP Certified McIntyre Vineyard. Dijon clone 777 and 115. Indigenous yeast fermentation and indigenous bacteria malolactic fermentation. · Deep, dark purple color in the glass. Very fragrant with intense aromas of blackberry jam, black plum sauce, black currants, spice and darkly colored rose petals. Just gorgeous. Delicious earth bound flavors of black plum, blackberry and black currant with a very subtle citrus note on the finish. Full-bodied, but not heavy or jammy. Very soft and ephemeral in the mouth with gossamer tannins and impeccable balance. This wine really speaks of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Reviewed January 19, 2013 ARTICLE »
2011 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Block K-1 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.43% alc., pH 3.43, TA 0.69, 100 cases, $38. Whole cluster pressed, fermented in new Siruge French oak barrels and aged 8 months where it underwent full MLF. · Golden straw color and clear in the glass. Shy, but clean aromas of wet stones, peach, butter and acacia. A little more body and intensity than the regular Estate bottling with pleasing flavors of lemon, white peach, brioche, toffee and vanilla, offering a slightly creamy mouthfeel, and finishing dry and smooth. A Chardonnay that could benefit from a little more time in the bottle but hard to resist now. Very good. Reviewed January 19, 2013 ARTICLE »
2010 McIntyre Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.3% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.69, 290 cases, $28. Released winter 2010. Winemakers Steve McIntyre and Byron Kosuge. From the Home Estate, the oldest Chardonnay plantings in the Santa Lucia Highlands. 100% MLF, aged 8 months in barrel. · Light straw color and clear in the glass. Very muted nose, offering demure aromas of baked apple, citrus peel, peach and fresh brioche. More expressive on the palate, with flavors of baked pears, honey, lemon and toffee. Light and reserved in style with zippy acidity. Decent. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Block K-1 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.43, TA 0.69, 100 cases, $38. Released winter 2010. From the oldest Chardonnay plantings in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Dijon clones 96 and 76. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 8 months in new Siruge French oak barrels, 100% MLF, Winemaker is Byron Kosuge. · Light straw color and clear in the glass. Reserved aromas of lemon curd, white peach and marzipan. Tasty, with modest flavors of lemon, toast and roasted nuts, finishing with reasonable intensity and offering refreshing acidity. A little more body and interest than the Estate bottling. Good (+). Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.63, 240 cases, $38. Predominantly Dijon clone 777. Indigenous yeast fermentations. Crafted by Byron Kosuge. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Opulent aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, cardamom spice and toasty oak. Pumps out the fragrance consistently over time in the glass. Very tasty core of dark cherry and dark berry fruits with a subtle hint of oak toast and vanillin in the background. Smooth and luxurious on the palate with soft, restrained tannins and some persistence on the finish. Very drinkable now, but the balance predicts a long life ahead. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 McIntyre Vineyards East Block 3 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.65, 100 cases, $46. Released spring 2011. Sourced from select lots of the 60-acre estate sustainably farmed home estate vineyard. Native yeast fermentation. Owner and grower Steve McIntyre. Winemaker Byron Kosuge. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Alluring aromas of dark berries, plum pudding and subtle oak. Delicious middleweight flavors of black raspberry, blackberry and black plum wrapped in soft tannins, finishing with remarkable fruit presence on the lengthy finish. Impeccable balance. Can age but drinkable now. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2008 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
390 cases, $36. · Deep perfume of plum reduction sauce, wild berries and a hint of oak. Delicious and plush dark red stone fruits and berries with a substantial tannic backbone and a dry finish that clings to the palate. Reviewed January 27, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 McIntyre Vineyards Mission Ranch Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.64,$36. Released spring 2011. Clone 667 from Mission Ranch Vineyard. Vinified by Byron Kosuge. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Perfume of dark red cherries, berry glaze, leaf and oak. This wine offers only a glimpse of its future potential. A little rustic and closed down now, but showing sparks of flavorful purple and black fruits caressed by supple tannins. Better and better over time in the glass. The velvety texture is very pinotesque. Cellar or decant if you must open now. Very good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
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