Benedetti Grigi

McHenry Vineyard

Christie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020

The 2020 vintage presented many challenges for wine producers around the world but the fires in California added a layer of complexity that nobody needed. Many of the producers I enjoy didn’t even make red wine and if they did, it was never released. For some, the effects were more catastrophic. Unfortunately for McHenry Vineyard, the situation was the latter. Not only was the entire crop lost to smoke taint in the CZU Lighting Complex Fire but the winery and most of the structures on the property were destroyed. They even lost some of the majestic redwoods that have surrounded the vineyard for centuries. Despite the pandemic and the destruction, Brandon and Annelisa were resolved to rebuild. However, with the crop lost and nowhere to make wine for the foreseeable future, they had to enlist some help. In the near term, Brandon was able to purchase fruit from the Christie Vineyard in Corralitos (the longtime source for Storrs Winery & Vineyard) and John Benedetti of Sante Arcangeli came in the with the assist; just as he had in the production of the 2019 vintage. The fruit from Christie Vineyard is more Dijon heavy than McHenry’s estate vineyard but John did a great job of honoring the McHenry approach and style. The results were remarkable.

Popped and poured and enjoyed over a four hour period, the 2020 McHenry “Christie Vineyard” pours a bright, luminous ruby color with a transparent core. No obvious staining of the tears; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, bright ripened cherries, raspberries, roses, cloves and other spices. The wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. The finish is long. The overall impression is fresh, juicy and full of life. Like all vintages of McHenry, production is minuscule with only 150 cases produced.

As a sort of epilogue, Mother Earth giveth and taketh away. For all of the gifts that California’s climate brings to the production of wine, they are not immune to the whims of nature and these sorts of stories are becoming more and more common. With that being said, there have been at least two other occasions in McHenry’s past where they have been forced to purchase fruit or choose not release wine due to fire or pests. Unfortunately, this will probably not be their last but as long as they are determined to make beautifully balanced Pinot Noir way up on Bonny Doon Road, I will be drinking them.
— 2 years ago

Severn, Hermes and 7 others liked this
Daniel M

Daniel M

Great note! Thank you

Benedetti

Croce del Gal Ripasso Classico Valpolicella Superiore Corvina Blend 2009

Excellent! Well balanced. Chocolate, vanilla, honey. — 8 years ago

McHenry Vineyard

Estate Bottled Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2019

The youngest McHenry from vintage I’ve ever had. AFIAK, the 2018 vintage was lost and I hear it was quite a story how the 2019 vintage came to be bottled. Popped and poured; consumed over two days and held very well over the 24 hour period. The wine pours a garnet color with a translucent core and slightly watery rim, medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. Medium+ intensity with bright fruit aromas including figs, strawberry, cherry, red flowers, porchini, sous bois, myrrh, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin, medium+ acid. Bruised strawberry, bitter cherry, cola, and spices are predominate at this point in its life. Medium+ finish. Due to the challenges associated with the CZU Lightening Complex fire, this wine was finished by John Benedetti at Sante Archangeli. Only 62 cases were made. — 3 years ago

Daniel P., Severn and 6 others liked this

Domaine François Lumpp

Crausot Givry 1er Cru Chardonnay

Bo Bo
9.7

Pour une fois qu'y a un Bourgogne qui tien la route ! @roland benedetti — 7 years ago

roland liked this
roland benedetti

roland benedetti Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Non de non! Je n'y crois pas. C'est une mise en scène!

Russian River Vineyards

Benedetti Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012

Great Pinot! Would highly recommend. — 10 years ago

laura liked this
Jeremy Buss

Jeremy Buss

This is not a rose but the Benedetti Pinot Noir from Russian River Vineyard.

Benedetti Grigi

Miracolo Rosso Montefalco Sagrantino 2015

#sagrantino #doloresoutpost Big tannins. Fruit up front. #2015italy It’s approachable now and should integrate better over the next 3-5 years. — 4 years ago

David liked this

Benedetti Grigi

Umbria Montefalco La Gaita Del Falco Rosso

Pleasantly surprised. The red blend they produce I had a few days ago was pretty tannins. This one was a bit more restrained. Had some spice to this soft wine. Nice black fruit. — 5 years ago

Severn, Dawn and 1 other liked this