MacPhail 2013 Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir

What defines MacPhail? Our little red wagon says it all. Family. Fun. Serious when we need to be (but not too much). From the beginning, which isn’t all that long ago, we’ve believed that wine is art with a splash of science. We use traditional, old-world winemaking techniques with minimal intervention to deliver wines that are flavorful enough to tell you a lot about our exceptional vineyards in Sonoma County and Mendocino’s Anderson Valley.

The Dutton family is one of the founding farming families of Sonoma County, dating back to the 1880s, when Warren Dutton first farmed prunes, later farming apples and other fruits before planting winegrapes in the mid 1960’s. The MacPhail Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir is sourced from two of the family’s younger sustainably farmed vineyards.

Alcohol: 14.5%

92 POINTS - "Beautifully balanced and supple with bright berry fruit, Maduro cigar and Maplewood smoked bacon." Catherine Fallis - The Planet Grape Wine Review

92 POINTS - “Bright and juicy with lush texture and lovely balance; ripe cherry, spice and long flavors.” Anthony Dias Blue - Tasting Panel Magazine

90 POINTS - "Outstanding" / “Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Engaging aromas of black raspberry, blackberry, black walnut and vanilla lead to a luscious and pleasing dark fruit compote that attacks with purpose. Very polished with elite tannins. Only a slight warmth on the finish intrudes on the pleasure.” Rusty Gaffney - PinotFile

GOLD STAR - "Aromas of black cherry, red currant, and ripe plum, with floral, spice, sandalwood, and hints of earthy minerals. Ripe on the palate, offering fresh summer berries, black cherry, and pomegranate, over delicate notes of oak. Smooth tannins on the balanced finish. Delicious." Santé Magazine

There it is again. How can something be so delicate and bold at the same time? Makes us think of the classic song Leather & Lace. The wine is lush, layered and elegant, not unlike the woman who wrote those lyrics. Okay, we might have been listening to a bit of Stevie Nicks while we pondered our glass, but it fits. The color, deep ruby, purple in hue. The nose? Black fruits and graphite, with hints of oak spice from French Oak. Silky and supple, with fleshy red fruit and dare we say it, a touch of bacon fat. The tannins are firm and the finish lingers, like the song. ‘When you walked into my house, we had the feeling you wouldn’t be leaving.’ Thank you Stevie, for making it all so clear.