January 25, 2012
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MacPhail Family Wines
| Owner(s) | The Hess Collection |
| Web site | www.macphailwines.com |
| Link to this site |
MacPhail Pinot Family Wines was founded in 1998 by James MacPhail with the sole passion to handcraft Pinot Noir from premier North Coast appellations. The inaugural Pinot Noirs were released in 2002. MacPhail is a native son of Marin County in a family with roots dating to the 1880s. He has had a broad range of interests including dairy farming near Tomales Bay as well as ventures into appliances, building materials and natural gas. He became an accomplished classical pianist and bagpiper and in 1983 became the youngest swimmer to swim across the Golden Gate, and remains a nationally ranked Masters Class competitive swimmer.
After a short career in hospitality, he learned winemaking at Quivera, Pellegrini, and Merry Edwards, and quickly focused on Pinot Noir. He was the founding winemaker for Sequana Vineyards in 2007.
The wines are handcrafted in small lots by MacPhail at a 5,000-case winery in Healdsburg. The style is rich and ripe and reflective of Merry Edward's Pinot Noirs. Grapes are sourced from various well-regarded vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley.
In 2011, a "Home Girl" Pinot Noir was introduced which is a blend of each of the winery's eleven Pinot Noirs. Mailing list members only, reasonably priced at $29.
The wines are highly allocated through a mailing list. The wine label and marketing program are very eye-catching, and the wines do not disappoint, especially after a few years in the bottle when they really shine. Production has been about 1,500 cases of Pinot Noir.
MacPhail Family Wines and Sequana Vineyards became part of The Hess Collection in 2011 with MacPhail remaining as the winemaker for both labels.
Articles About MacPhail Family Wines
Andersonoir Valley Pinot Noir Festival (8.40 6/30/2011)
Blast from 2011 World of Pinot Noir (8.33 3/12/2011)
MacPhail: Get On the Wagon (8.43 9/2/2011)
No Need to Blush When Drinking Rosé (8.40 6/30/2011)
Pinot Briefs (8.41 7/23/2011)
Pinots from the Edge (6.57 4/7/2008)
Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs (6.28 6/3/2007)
Reviewed Wines
2010 MacPhail Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $17.
·
Light reddish-orange color in the glass.
Aromas of oak, herbs and barnyard. Fairly intense flavors of alpine strawberries with hints of licorice and
savory herbs, and a prominent tug of oak. Lacks finesse, freshness and brightness. Source: winery and retail.
Decent.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Home Girl Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH
3.67, TA 0.57, 135 cases, $29. A blend of all (10) single vineyards sourced by
MacPhail. Approximately one foot of wine at the bottom of each bottling tank
was moved back to barrels (40% new) and aged for another five months, then
bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass.
Rather flat nose offering dark red cherry, baking spice and leaf aromas. Cherry-driven,
slightly candied flavor with some oak showing up on the finish. A lighter
styled wine with fine-grain tannins, a bright texture, and bright acidity on the
finish. Drink now. Decent.
Reviewed September 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,250 cases, $39.
From Pratt, Gap’s Crown, Wildcat and Sangiacomo vineyards. Aged 11 months
in 40% new French oak barrels.
·
Bright and fruity aromatics draw you in. Ripe,
darker berry and cherry fruits are featured in this medium-weight wine with
subtle oak highlights, finishing with respectable intensity of fruit, leaving a hint of
heat in its wake. A fruit-driven style. Good.
Reviewed March 12, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., ph 3.60, TA 0.63, 1,195 cases, $39. Sangiacomo,
Pratt, Wildcat and Gap’s Crown vineyards. Multiple clones including Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777,
Pommard, 2A, 9 and 23. Aged 11 months in 40% new and 60% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Nuanced aromatic profile featuring scents of strawberries,
black cherries, savory herbs and old wood. Medium-weighted core of earthy dark red fruits possessing a wild,
exotic flavor and a slight green undertone. There is a fine dusting of tannins and adequate acidity. A solid wine
that is nicely crafted, but doesn’t excite. Good.
Reviewed September 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Family Wines Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.86, TA 0.54,
267 cases, $49. Released fall 2010. 100% de-stemmed, indigenous and inoculated yeast primary
fermentation, native malolactic fermentation in barrel, batonnage every week for 3 months, aged 11 months in
60% new and 40% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate purple color in the
glass. A big-boned wine with flashy dark berry and black cherry fruit that is quite tasty but is overshadowed by
oak. The nose displays primarily oak-driven aromas of toast, toffee and caramel. Decent.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Gap’s Crown Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.65, 320 cases, $49. This
vineyard is in the Petaluma Gap region of the Sonoma Coast. Clones 115, 667 and 777. Aged 11 months in
40% new and 60% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass.
The aloof nose features demure scents of dark stone fruits and smoky oak. In the mouth, the juicy dark plum,
blackberry and black raspberry fruit comes alive accented by underpinnings of anise, ash and complimentary
oak. The nicely ripened fruit is robed in gossamer tannins and the wine finishes with modest length. Good.
Reviewed September 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Raye’s Hill Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.82, TA 0.56, 178 cases, $49. Clones 667 (33%) and
Pommard (67%). Harvested at 27.5º Brix. Aged 11 months in 50% new
and 50% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish-purple
hue in the glass. Aromatically shy initially, but opens nicely over
time in the glass to offer scents of black cherry pie, red plums,
sandalwood and underbrush. Very polished in the mouth with
impressive mid-palate intensity of delicious black cherry, strawberry and
raspberry spicy fruit wrapped in fine sweet tannins. A wine of impressive
breeding and balance. This clonal mix always seems to delight me.
Reviewed September 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.86, TA 0.54, $49. Clones
115 (30%), 667 (30%), 777 (30%) and 2A. Aged 11 months in 60% new and 40% 1 and 2-year-old French oak
barrels.
·
Initially, oak-derived aroma of coffee predominates, fading over time with the emergence of shy black
cherry fruit and a little barnyard. Tasty core of red fruits enhanced with notes of spice, sandalwood and oak
with a slight coffee accent. Crisp with lively acidity. Good.
Reviewed September 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Wightman House Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.94, TA0.55, 66 cases, $55. 100% Martini clone.
Aged 11 months in 66% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark
reddish-purple color in the glass. An enticing and thoroughly seductive
wine that offers an hi-tone perfume of dark berry jam, spice, vanilla and
the slightest oak. Discreetly concentrated, earth-kissed flavors of
blackberry and plum sauce with a hint of tar and oak. The texture is dreamy
soft. Finishes dry with impressive persistence. Very little Martini clone is planted
in the Anderson Valley so this is a very distinctive wine representing an
impressive expression of this clone that will hold the interest of any serious Pinot
Noir connoisseur.
Reviewed September 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Vagon Rouge Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH
3.73, TA 0.57, 117 cases, $59. 5 hand-selected barrels. Sourced from
Toulouse, Wightman House, Frattey Shams, Raye’s Hill and Ferrington
vineyards. Aged 11 months in 100% new Tonnellerie Ermitage Medium Toast
French oak barrels.
·
Moderately intense color in the glass. Shy nose offering
aromas of cherry crisp, spice, briar and subtle oak. Soft and smooth on the
palate with satisfying flavors of red cherries, cardamon spice, and sandalwood
enrobed in firm fine-grain tannins. Nicely composed with oak playing a
complimentary supporting role. Picks up interest over time in the glass and is
even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Keep this one under wraps for a couple of years and then plan a special dinner around it. Very Good (+).
Reviewed September 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2006 MacPhail Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 675 cases, $38. Clones are 115,
667, 777 and Martini. Native fermentation, aged 11 months in French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light ruby color. Very fragrant brambly cherry and cranberry fruits highlighted
with savory herbs. Fresh herbed berry flavors with citrus in the background. A little creamy
with restrained dry tannins and a bright finish marked by a whiff of alcohol. Nothing special
but very decent and will have fans.
Reviewed June 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2005 MacPhail Ferrington Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.24% alc., 325 cases. Clones 2A, 115,
777. Native fermentations, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, unfined and unfiltered.
·
Attractive aromas of
strawberry tart, cola and gentle oak. An earthy wine with plenty of berry fruit, a trace of spice and an
undercurrent of greenness. Gossamer tannins and bright acidity. Just o.k. for me.
Reviewed June 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2005 MacPhail Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 375 cases. Clones 2A,
115, 667 and 777. Native fermentations, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, unfined and unfiltered.
·
Charming and complex aromatic mix of red plums, strawberries, redwood and some good funk. Nicely
composed and layered red fruit palate that is lip-smacking. Perfectly balanced with suede tannins, a
pillowy texture and complete integration of the alcohol. Very Caliesque in style and utterly hedonistic.
Reviewed June 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2005 MacPhail Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 400 cases. Clones 2A, 777,
667 and 115. Native fermentations. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate
reddish-purple hue in the glass. Very alluring nose offering scents of black cherries, dark berry compote,
brioche, cola, vanilla and subtle oak. Medium-weight flavors of black cherries, raspberries and cranberries
finishing with zingy citrus and oak in the background. Tannins have softened and the mouthfeel is all silk and
satin. Good (+).
Reviewed September 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2005 MacPhail Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
396 cases, $40.
·
A ripe style with dry
red cherries, a hint of oak, and a touch of warmth. A slight bitterness mars an otherwise satisfying finish.
Reviewed June 3, 2007
ARTICLE »
2004 MacPhail Goodin Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.2% alc., 325 cases, $54. Clones 115,
777.
·
Red fruits, sawdust and green aromas. Nicely composed red fruits with plenty of bright fruit flavor.
A hint of greenness carries through.
Reviewed April 7, 2008
ARTICLE »
2004 MacPhail Pratt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 250 cases, $54. Clones 2A, 23,
114 and 777.
·
Wine-soaked wet oak, dark cherry and musky notes on the nose. Really delicious black
raspberry and graham flavors which make you sit up straight. As it opens, the flavors veer toward raisin.
Nice tang, grip, length and finish.
Reviewed April 7, 2008
ARTICLE »
2003 MacPhail Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 120 cases,$40.
·
Wet
oak is overwhelming on the nose with an added unpleasant gasoline station smell. Smooth, plush darktoned
fruits which are trumped by the oak and woodshed flavors. Taste better than it smells.
Reviewed April 7, 2008
ARTICLE »
2010 MacPhail Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $17. · Light reddish-orange color in the glass. Aromas of oak, herbs and barnyard. Fairly intense flavors of alpine strawberries with hints of licorice and savory herbs, and a prominent tug of oak. Lacks finesse, freshness and brightness. Source: winery and retail. Decent. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Home Girl Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.57, 135 cases, $29. A blend of all (10) single vineyards sourced by MacPhail. Approximately one foot of wine at the bottom of each bottling tank was moved back to barrels (40% new) and aged for another five months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Rather flat nose offering dark red cherry, baking spice and leaf aromas. Cherry-driven, slightly candied flavor with some oak showing up on the finish. A lighter styled wine with fine-grain tannins, a bright texture, and bright acidity on the finish. Drink now. Decent. Reviewed September 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,250 cases, $39. From Pratt, Gap’s Crown, Wildcat and Sangiacomo vineyards. Aged 11 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Bright and fruity aromatics draw you in. Ripe, darker berry and cherry fruits are featured in this medium-weight wine with subtle oak highlights, finishing with respectable intensity of fruit, leaving a hint of heat in its wake. A fruit-driven style. Good. Reviewed March 12, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., ph 3.60, TA 0.63, 1,195 cases, $39. Sangiacomo, Pratt, Wildcat and Gap’s Crown vineyards. Multiple clones including Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777, Pommard, 2A, 9 and 23. Aged 11 months in 40% new and 60% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Nuanced aromatic profile featuring scents of strawberries, black cherries, savory herbs and old wood. Medium-weighted core of earthy dark red fruits possessing a wild, exotic flavor and a slight green undertone. There is a fine dusting of tannins and adequate acidity. A solid wine that is nicely crafted, but doesn’t excite. Good. Reviewed September 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Family Wines Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.86, TA 0.54, 267 cases, $49. Released fall 2010. 100% de-stemmed, indigenous and inoculated yeast primary fermentation, native malolactic fermentation in barrel, batonnage every week for 3 months, aged 11 months in 60% new and 40% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate purple color in the glass. A big-boned wine with flashy dark berry and black cherry fruit that is quite tasty but is overshadowed by oak. The nose displays primarily oak-driven aromas of toast, toffee and caramel. Decent. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Gap’s Crown Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.65, 320 cases, $49. This vineyard is in the Petaluma Gap region of the Sonoma Coast. Clones 115, 667 and 777. Aged 11 months in 40% new and 60% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The aloof nose features demure scents of dark stone fruits and smoky oak. In the mouth, the juicy dark plum, blackberry and black raspberry fruit comes alive accented by underpinnings of anise, ash and complimentary oak. The nicely ripened fruit is robed in gossamer tannins and the wine finishes with modest length. Good. Reviewed September 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Raye’s Hill Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.82, TA 0.56, 178 cases, $49. Clones 667 (33%) and Pommard (67%). Harvested at 27.5º Brix. Aged 11 months in 50% new and 50% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromatically shy initially, but opens nicely over time in the glass to offer scents of black cherry pie, red plums, sandalwood and underbrush. Very polished in the mouth with impressive mid-palate intensity of delicious black cherry, strawberry and raspberry spicy fruit wrapped in fine sweet tannins. A wine of impressive breeding and balance. This clonal mix always seems to delight me. Reviewed September 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.86, TA 0.54, $49. Clones 115 (30%), 667 (30%), 777 (30%) and 2A. Aged 11 months in 60% new and 40% 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Initially, oak-derived aroma of coffee predominates, fading over time with the emergence of shy black cherry fruit and a little barnyard. Tasty core of red fruits enhanced with notes of spice, sandalwood and oak with a slight coffee accent. Crisp with lively acidity. Good. Reviewed September 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Wightman House Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.94, TA0.55, 66 cases, $55. 100% Martini clone. Aged 11 months in 66% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. An enticing and thoroughly seductive wine that offers an hi-tone perfume of dark berry jam, spice, vanilla and the slightest oak. Discreetly concentrated, earth-kissed flavors of blackberry and plum sauce with a hint of tar and oak. The texture is dreamy soft. Finishes dry with impressive persistence. Very little Martini clone is planted in the Anderson Valley so this is a very distinctive wine representing an impressive expression of this clone that will hold the interest of any serious Pinot Noir connoisseur. Reviewed September 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 MacPhail Vagon Rouge Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.57, 117 cases, $59. 5 hand-selected barrels. Sourced from Toulouse, Wightman House, Frattey Shams, Raye’s Hill and Ferrington vineyards. Aged 11 months in 100% new Tonnellerie Ermitage Medium Toast French oak barrels. · Moderately intense color in the glass. Shy nose offering aromas of cherry crisp, spice, briar and subtle oak. Soft and smooth on the palate with satisfying flavors of red cherries, cardamon spice, and sandalwood enrobed in firm fine-grain tannins. Nicely composed with oak playing a complimentary supporting role. Picks up interest over time in the glass and is even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Keep this one under wraps for a couple of years and then plan a special dinner around it. Very Good (+). Reviewed September 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2006 MacPhail Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 675 cases, $38. Clones are 115, 667, 777 and Martini. Native fermentation, aged 11 months in French oak barrels. · Moderately light ruby color. Very fragrant brambly cherry and cranberry fruits highlighted with savory herbs. Fresh herbed berry flavors with citrus in the background. A little creamy with restrained dry tannins and a bright finish marked by a whiff of alcohol. Nothing special but very decent and will have fans. Reviewed June 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2005 MacPhail Ferrington Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.24% alc., 325 cases. Clones 2A, 115, 777. Native fermentations, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, unfined and unfiltered. · Attractive aromas of strawberry tart, cola and gentle oak. An earthy wine with plenty of berry fruit, a trace of spice and an undercurrent of greenness. Gossamer tannins and bright acidity. Just o.k. for me. Reviewed June 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2005 MacPhail Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 375 cases. Clones 2A, 115, 667 and 777. Native fermentations, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, unfined and unfiltered. · Charming and complex aromatic mix of red plums, strawberries, redwood and some good funk. Nicely composed and layered red fruit palate that is lip-smacking. Perfectly balanced with suede tannins, a pillowy texture and complete integration of the alcohol. Very Caliesque in style and utterly hedonistic. Reviewed June 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2005 MacPhail Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 400 cases. Clones 2A, 777, 667 and 115. Native fermentations. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Very alluring nose offering scents of black cherries, dark berry compote, brioche, cola, vanilla and subtle oak. Medium-weight flavors of black cherries, raspberries and cranberries finishing with zingy citrus and oak in the background. Tannins have softened and the mouthfeel is all silk and satin. Good (+). Reviewed September 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2005 MacPhail Toulouse Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
396 cases, $40. · A ripe style with dry red cherries, a hint of oak, and a touch of warmth. A slight bitterness mars an otherwise satisfying finish. Reviewed June 3, 2007 ARTICLE »
2004 MacPhail Goodin Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.2% alc., 325 cases, $54. Clones 115, 777. · Red fruits, sawdust and green aromas. Nicely composed red fruits with plenty of bright fruit flavor. A hint of greenness carries through. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »
2004 MacPhail Pratt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 250 cases, $54. Clones 2A, 23, 114 and 777. · Wine-soaked wet oak, dark cherry and musky notes on the nose. Really delicious black raspberry and graham flavors which make you sit up straight. As it opens, the flavors veer toward raisin. Nice tang, grip, length and finish. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »
2003 MacPhail Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 120 cases,$40. · Wet oak is overwhelming on the nose with an added unpleasant gasoline station smell. Smooth, plush darktoned fruits which are trumped by the oak and woodshed flavors. Taste better than it smells. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »
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