My dogs are continuing to drive where we go to taste wines. This time, we found ourselves at the Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel to fetch some extra special food for an aging pet. We decided to drop into McIntyre to see what they were pouring. In addition to some fresh vintages, we tasted some impressive older Pinot Noirs, their flagship wines. You know by now that I am not the biggest Pinot Noir fan, yet we were blown away by these.
About McIntyre Vineyards from their website: “The McIntyre Estate Vineyard lies in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, a 12-mile stretch of benchland renowned for producing wines of character and complexity. Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre site (60 acres planted) boasts some of the Highlands’ oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. The winery’s other estate property is the 81-acre Kimberly Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Proprietor Steve McIntyre is one of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in California. As owner/operator of Monterey Pacific, he farms 16,000 acres in Monterey County. The McIntyre Estate Vineyard was among the first properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands to be SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certified…”
About the Santa Lucia Highlands (same site): “In a relatively short span of time the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA has achieved superstar status. The region boasts 6,000 acres of vines ‑ primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah ‑ planted on terraces below the Santa Lucia mountain range. The region’s climate is shaped by the morning fog and strong winds funneled daily down the Salinas Valley from Monterey Bay to the northwest. SLH enjoys one of the longest and coolest growing seasons in California.” According to Santa Lucia Highlands website, “…Some of the best and most praised Pinot Noirs from California are made from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Of roughly 6,400 acres planted, about 3,500 are devoted to producing world-class Pinot Noir…” I read another article recently claiming SLH as the best Pinot Noir from California.
Today I am presenting 8 McIntyre wines. The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.
2018 McIntyre Clair de Lune White Wine Blend, Monterey, 12.1% ABV, $18 (#510*) 80% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer
Winery Tasting Notes: “This White Wine Blend is sure to soar. Named after the founder’s first Bernese Mountain Dog, Jura Claire de Lune, this wine is royal…Fresh, graceful and full of energy, this wine’s aroma is reminiscent of rose petals, grapefruit, with hints of apricot and melon. Intense, but not overripe, with focused acidity and plenty of slate and mineral notes this wine is the perfect complement to the end of a great day!.” 200 cases produced.
My Review: Very pale in the glass. Sweet bouquet and palate, with a touch of welcome bitterness on the finish offsetting the sweet a tad. Liked the idea to serve this as more of an after-dinner wine. September 2021
2020 McIntyre Rose of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.2% ABV, $24 (#511*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “This wine’s natural, vibrant copper color foreshadows the stunning aromas of fresh berry, watermelon, rhubarb, black cherry pie and currants. While the bouquet is open and forthright, the texture is a bit more mysterious. One moment it is dry, crisp and refreshing; the next it is bold, plush and opulent. The finish, as you might expect, is pure, full and satisfying. Enjoy!” 375 cases produced.
My Review: Pale pink in color. Crisp on the nose and a palate with apple flavors and some citrus notes – bright acidity. September 2021
2017 McIntyre Estate Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $38 (#512*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “Great wines speak to both sides of your brain. They are cerebral yet artistic, rational yet hedonistic. Take our 2017 McIntyre Estate Vineyard Chardonnay. For the analytical left side, there is precision, structure and minerality. For the intuitive right side, there is texture, opulence and concentration. For both sides there are lush impressions of toast, crème brûlée, oak and grilled almonds.” 321 cases produced. 92 points, Vinous
My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. Mild butter, caramel and pineapple on the nose. Bitter citrus and pineapple – very balanced – in a well-rounded flavor. Very nice, not over oaky. September 2021
2017 McIntyre Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.8% ABV, $48 (#513*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “The confluence of favorable weather, mature vines, sustainable farming techniques (SIP Certified) and minimalistic winemaking practices yielded one of the most complete wines we have ever produced. Our 2017 McIntyre Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir is deep, dark, intense, powerful and exotic. It delivers a plethora of the sensory goodies stretching from earth to fruit. Highlights include plums, blueberries, violets and silky tannins.” 346 cases produced.
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. Cherry and cocoa on the nose. Round cherry and some cedar on the palate. I liked this compared to many Monterey County Pinot Noirs. September 2021
2015 McIntyre Estate Block 3 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.4% ABV, $56 (#514*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2015 Block 3 Pinot Noir embodies everything we love about the Santa Lucia Highlands. It’s big, but supple and lively. While it possesses effusive, bright fruit aromas, there is also a dark undercurrent of earth, forest and minerals. The palate is powerful, yet elegant. Best of all, this Pinot drinks beautifully now, but will continue to evolve and expand over the next decade.” 200 cases produced.
My Review: Even darker ruby in the glass. A surprisingly big nose of cassis. Very nice dark fruit flavors – a medley dancing on my palate with a dark caramel finish. Wow! We liked this wine! September 2021
2014 McIntyre Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.3% ABV, $65 (#515*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2014 Old Vine reminds me of the great 1979 Stony Hill Pinot Noir – the wine that ignited my passion for this noble grape. Polished, textured and expressive, as one would expect from 40-year-old vines, this wine offers plenty of ripe blackberry/cherry aromas and flavors that suggest Sorel mushrooms and black pepper. There is plenty of soft, supple tannin and the finish delivers exceptional presence and depth.” 200 cases (6 packs) produced.
My Review: Dark ruby. A brighter red/black fruit bouquet and much sharper, brighter on the palate with cherry and raspberry flavors. The finish is typical of California Pinot Noirs. These older Pinot Noirs are impressive. September 2021
2016 McIntyre Merlot, Kimberly Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.8% ABV, $28 (#516*)
Winery Tasting Notes: Our 2016 Kimberly Vineyard is the epitome of Goldilocks-climate Merlot. It marries the lavish, ripe fruit of a warm site with the elegance and structure of a cool locale. As in previous years, the dominant character traits include blackberry, anise, cassis and dried currants. Below that is a bed of juicy black fruit and supple, silky tannins. While it drinks well now, this Merlot will continue to evolve and improve over the next decade.” 250 cases produced.
My Review: Rich and dark in the glass. Some jammy baking notes on the nose. The palate was nice and “velvety,” with a dry (tannic) finish exhibiting white pepper flavors. September 2021
2015 McIntyre Per Adua (“Through Adversity”), Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.6% ABV, $60 (#517*)
Winery Notes: “Per Ardua is the ancient Gallic motto for clan McIntyre. It means “Thru Difficulty,” a sentiment that is as significant today in the Santa Lucia Highlands as it was two centuries ago for our ancestors in the Scottish Highlands. For three decades we have endeavored to produce a world-class Bordeaux red from the cool, windswept hillsides of Monterey County. Our inaugural bottling of Per Ardua is the culmination of those efforts. Deep, rich and complicated, it is emblematic of the terroir, the grapes and the difficulties we have faced over the last 30 harvests.” 150 cases produced. 92 points, Vinous
My Review: Very dark ruby in the glass. Mellow dark fruits on the nose. Mid-palate is smooth and rich with quite a bit of tannin still on the lingering finish. September 2021
You can buy McIntyre wines on their website or at their tasting studio, 169 Crossroads Blvd in Carmel, from 11-6 Thursday through Sunday. They are open for tasting 12-6 on those days or by appointment. You can contact them at 831-626-6268 or taste@mcintyrevineyards.com.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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