2014 MacPhail, Pinot Noir, Wightman House Vineyard, Anderson Valley.
I got and sneak peek of the up coming release of MacPhail and I can tell you, it will be a stunner, this 2014 MacPhail Wightman House is gorgeously luxurious with deep color and fruit intensity wrapped in a subtle and soft robe of ripe tannin and lifting acidity. Only 5 barrels were crafted from this tiny two-acre site, planted to the heritage Martini clone, the same old California clone you know and love in Riverblock Rochioli classics! MacPhail used about 60% new French oak on this Anderson Valley wine, but while it adds a smoky sweetness and give a lush creamy feel, it doesn’t take away from this beautiful Pinot and by the time it is released officially next month, the oak should have faded further into the background, though now it doesn’t show any ill effects, in fact this is pretty sexy stuff. Incredibly darkly hued garnet and ruby in color, the Wightman House starts with loads of blue fruit, sweet rose petal, light vanilla and walnut leading to a richly packed palate of blackberry, cherry and plum fruits along with a touch of wild mushroom, mission fig, anise, mineral, tea spices, sandalwood and a hint saline and stones. The finish is sweet and succulent, lingering with mocha, kirsch and cassis, look for lots of developing nuances to emerge over the next 3 to 5 years in bottle as this brilliant wine unveils itself more fully, this is impressive stuff, it reminds me a little of Beaux Freres and that is a high compliment, if you drink it young you;ll be seduced by opulence, and if you are patient you’ll be rewarded with complexity and glorious detail, I’d love to re-visit this Pinot in 7 to 10 years, I believe it should have a great and long drinking window, at 13.8% and with the sublime and lavish fruit, this should drink fantastic from release to 2027 easy.
($55 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
