THE STORY
By now you know the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society holds a WinedUP event the first Friday of the month. This is our chance to explore our very own wineries of Monterey County and socialize with each other. We had reached out to Boekenoogen’s tasting room in Carmel Valley Village, but didn’t hear back. Then I read about McIntyre Vineyards taking over the Boekenoogen tasting room spot AND its remaining bottles of wine. Since I had worked with Kristen McIntyre on my recent wine class, I offered to reach out to her to see if we could hold our event in their new Carmel Valley spot.
Kristen most graciously offered to host us for our August event. She responded quickly with a tasting menu tailored for our group. This was one of the easiest wineries to work with on setting up our event. And it sold out quickly!
My last big post about McIntyre Vineyards was here: McIntyre Vineyards: In the “Sweet Spot” of the Santa Lucia Highlands. I’ve written about their wines a few times – just type “McIntyre” in the Decanting Monterey search bar. As I have said before, I’m not that big of a Pinot Noir fan, but I will always stop to taste a McIntyre!
ABOUT MCINTYRE VINEYARDS – IN THE “SWEET SPOT” OF THE SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
“Mcintyre Estate Vineyard lies in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre site (60 acres planted) boasts some of the Highlands’ oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines.… 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.”
THE EVENT
We arrived to the McIntyre new Carmel Valley spot along with rare summer droplets of rain. Luckily, the raindrops abated and our group enjoyed both the indoor and expansive outdoor spaces. Kristen and Natasa were there to host us. The wine menu ensured there was something for each of our palates. Everyone had a good time, enjoying the hospitality, the wines, and each other. If you’d like to join the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society , please join the National American Wine Society and select Monterey as your chapter. We’d love to have you join us!
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 4 McIntyre Vineyards wines and 1 Boekenoogen wine from this August visit at their new Carmel Valley spot. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Kristen happily provided us in-depth knowledge about the wines. And Natasa was great about processing our tasting fees and purchases. Today’s reviews are enhanced by Erin of tèr·ra·ve·nos. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2022 McIntyre Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $24 (#1420)
Winery Notes: “This Rosé is sure to please any occasion, food or mood that may occur. While it is never easy to compensate for Mother Nature’s vicissitudes, this wine was undoubtedly enhanced by the work we did in the vineyard. The vines for this Rosé are now 50 years old, own rooted and grown on a Lyre trellis system. The crop was thinned to encourage even ripening and more concentrated fruit flavors. North/south row orientation ensured even sun exposure from dawn to sunset.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 pts: “Aromas of rose potpourri and tart citrus make for a unique combination on the nose of this bottling. There’s a sharp pink lemonade kick to the palate, which is tightly wound in texture.” — Matt Kettmann
My Review: Beautiful light pink in color. Perfume on the nose. There is a light tartness on the palate with Band-Aid and orange hard candy notes. August 2024
2019 McIntyre Estate Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $42 (#1421)
Winery Notes: “Great wines speak to both sides of your brain. They are cerebral yet artistic, rational yet hedonistic. Take our 2019 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.
Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “Sharp aromas of pithy citrus, crisp apple and light white flower show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is tightly wound, with a waxy, alkaline line of minerality, offering light hints of lemon and apple along the way.” — Matt Kettmann
My Review: Golden in color. Lots of legs. Underripe pineapple, lemon curd, golden apple, mellow brioche and a little white blossom on the nose. The palate has some acidity on the front of the tongue and round on mid-palate – very well made. A pleasant wine. August 2024
2018 McIntyre Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#1288)
Winery 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 2018 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.”
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Complex aromas of dark cherry, sagebrush, clove and dried mushroom show on the nose of this estate bottling. Sandalwood and light incense spices lead the palate, where polished flavors of dark cherry, rust and clove-dusted mulberry arise.” — Matt Kettmann
My Review: Dark ruby and lots of legs in the glass. Dark intense fruit on the nose. This wine hits the front and sides of the palate with dark cherry and forest floor notes. Finishes with tobacco and alcohol notes. August 2024
2022 Boekenoogen Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $45 (#1422)
My Review: Sweet on the nose and lots of legs in the glass. This wine exhibits the musty nose of a rich SLH Pinot. A richer mid palate than the previous wine, replete with warm baking spices. I liked this wine – it was very popular with our members, as well. Many were purchased on the way out the door! August 2024
2016 McIntyre Per Ardua Red Blend, Kimberly Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $60 (#1423) 50% Merlot, 50% Petit Verdot
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.
“Opaque ruby. Ripe cherry and dark berry aromas are complemented by licorice, pipe tobacco and vanilla nuances that build in the glass. Sweet and broad on the palate; sappy black currant and cherry-vanilla flavors pick up a hint of smokiness with aeration. Closes spicy, smooth and long, with lingering dark fruit character and velvety tannins that make a late appearance.
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Dark and rich aromas of stewed strawberry, poached prune, oak and clove show on the nose of this Bordelaise blend. Very dry and firm tannins frame the palate, where fig, nutmeg and vanilla flavors make for a very structured and serious expression.” — Matt Kettmann
My Review: Kristen shared they love the Kimberly Vineyard because it is her mother’s name! Located at the mouth of the gorge in the Arroyo Seco AVA. Dark in the glass. Dark cherry and blackberry on the nose. Rich jammy black fruit with some delicate violet/purple flower notes. This wine gets its tannins and acid from the Petit Verdot. I really liked this wine and took some home.
THE MCINTYRE TASTING ROOM – in the New Carmel Valley Spot!
McIntyre Vineyards has recently closed its Crossroads tasting room and is now operating solely at its new Carmel Valley spot. You can reserve your tasting here. And for those Boekenoogen fans, come get a glass or buy your favorite while they last!
Carmel Valley Village Hours (former Boekenoogen)
Tastings available Daily 11am to 5pm
Address
24 W. Carmel Valley Rd
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
Phone
831-574-3042
© Decanting Monterey 2024
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