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Anderson Valley

Wine Specs

Vintage

2014

Varietal

Pinot Noir

Appellation

Anderson Valley

Vineyard Designation

Toulouse Vineyard

Harvest Date

September 11 & 16, 2014

Sugar

25.5 Brix

Acid

.58 gms/100ml

3.82

Aging

Aged sur lie 11 months in French Oak, 38% new

Bottling Date

August 3, 2015

Alcohol %

14.8

Geek Speak

Vineyard Notes

Accolades - 90 Pts., PinotFile

Accolades - 91 Pts., California Grapevine

2014 Toulouse Vineyard Pinot Noir

Anderson Valley

Warm is the first word I think of with Toulouse, and for lots of reasons. In this vintage, warm earth shouts from my glass. And, of course, I have nothing but warm feelings for my long time grower Vern Boltz. Warm brings to mind approachable, and this vintage surely is.

In Stock

Toulouse is another important touchstone to the MacPhail tradition, dating back to 2002. Today, MacPhail is the only winery sourcing fruit from the vineyard, with most going into the Toulouse house brand. This is one to put away for a while, allowing the whole cluster influences to mellow a bit. Dark cherry and rich red plums shout for attention, in a well structured wine with classic Anderson Valley notes of earthy spice and crushed rock. Fleshy and full-bodied, it’s not for the faint of heart. Authentic in every way, this is a style recognizable and revered.

Winemaking:

Grapes were hand picked and hand sorted twice, 100% de-stemmed
Five day pre-fermentation cold maceration
Blend of native fermentations, RC212 & PDM yeasts
Native malolactic fermentation in barrel
Battonage weekly for three months
Aged 11 months sur lie in French oak, 38% new, balance once and twice filled
New French Oak Coopers: Calvin V, Gamba CB, Boutes, Dargaud & Jaegle, Leroir, Rousseau & Vicard G7
Bottled 100% unfined and unfiltered on August 3rd, 2015

Clones: 2A, Pommard, 115, 667 and 777

Production: 19 barrels handcrafted

Wine Profile

Tasting Notes

~ 91 Pts. "Fourth Place" / "Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, deep, earthy, spicy, dark cherry and raspberry fruit aroma that developed richness and some complexity at it aired in the glass; medium-full body; forward, rich, ripe, fleshy, nicely balanced and elegantly styled, red fruit flavors with some plushness in the mouthfeel; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very appealing to drink now and over the next year or two. Very highly recommended." - California Grapevine

Ratings

~ 91 Pts. / "Silky, smooth and graceful with ripe black cherry and concentrated style; savory and deep, lush and balanced." - Anthony Dias Blue, Tasting Panel Magazine

Awards

~ 90 Pts. "Outstanding" / “Aromas of boysenberry, blackberry, cola and toasty oak are replicated in the mid-weight loquacious flavors. There is admirable lift and juiciness, with silky tannins, with oak striving for attention on the finish. A little less oak intrusion was noted on the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.” - Rusty Gaffney, PinotFile

Vineyard Notes

~ 90 points / “Medium ruby colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Toulouse Vineyard offers a seriously fruity nose, exuding lifted red fruits of the forest and raspberry coulis notes with a waft of underbrush. Medium to full bodied and packed with red berry goodness, it has a velvety texture and some menthol and spice notes coming through on the finish. 459 cases were made.” - Robert Parker