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Steve McIntyre; Merlot Speaks, We Listen. Exploring the Wine Glass

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass! Today I am continuing the celebration of #MerlotMe month with Steve McIntyre of McIntyre Vineyards in  Monterey County. We talk about the impact the Santa Lucia Mtns have on the vineyards and the impact climate has on the final Merlot product. We taste through a vertical, comparing the 2016 and 2017 vintage. And they truly show how Mother Nature plays a role. So grab a glass of Merlot, get cozy and give a listen!

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Explore this Podcast in several options

McIntyre Wins Healthy Soils Grant!

The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration of state agencies and departments to promote the development of healthy soils on California's farmlands and ranchlands. The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices. 

After CDFA’s careful study and analysis of our application, Monterey Pacific, Inc was awarded a grant that helped us fund two exciting projects: one at McIntyre Vineyard and the other at Brayden Vineyard. In partnership with the Xerces Society, we created a customized plant list consisting of species that were appropriate with each site and worked well with our climate. We were able to plant a hedgerow with native drought resistant plants like Milkweed, Salvia, Elderberry, and Manzanita, to name a few. We also planted a cover crop with a mix of flowering annuals and perennials to attract beneficial insects and to provide nectar year-round for pollinators. 

These efforts, planting hedgerow and cover crops, will enhance our biodiversity within the vineyard and provide habitat for endangered pollinators and food sources for beneficial insect population. Increasing our biodiversity allows us to reduce our need for pesticides because we will rely on biological controls for the pests and weeds. 

Now that we’ve been able to plant the hedgerow and cover crops, we will follow the growth and transformation of the agro-ecosystem in the years to come. As we follow its growth, we can compare the cover cropped rows with the unplanted rows in our other vineyards and witness the effect of natural predators on the pest populations. We will also be tracking the GHG reduction in the soil. 

We hope to see immediate benefits within these first few years. A burst in the insect population, will increase the bird population, which feeds on these insects. Since we have a year round cover crop, which we mow instead of till, this keeps carbon sequestered in the soil and enhances microbial activity. And as time progresses, the rest of the ecosystem will restore itself as long as we maintain the hedgerow and cover crops. 

We are excited to see this beautiful transformation of our agro-ecosystem for years to come!

Have your parents had "the Talk" with you about Merlot? (Fred Swan)

McIntyre Merlot Kimberly Vineyard Arroyo Seco 2015

By fredswan@norcalwine.com. Published on December 15, 2019. {FULL ENTRY HERE}

McIntyre is best-known for their vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The Pinot Noir vineyard, originally planted in 1972, arguably includes the first vitis vinifera planted in the region. But this article isn’t about the Santa Lucia Highlands or Pinot Noir or old vines. It’s about McIntyre Merlot you should buy by the case(s).

Have your Parents had “the Talk” with you about Merlot?

Before I get into this particular wine, let’s get some things out of the way about Merlot in general. If you’re old enough, you liked California Merlot in the 1980s. You hated Merlot in the late 1990s. You saw Sideways in 2004. And then you swore off Merlot in favor of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and obscure but yummy wines from places in Europe nobody can find on a map. OMG, me too!

If you’re young, you never liked Merlot. You never hated Merlot. You never saw the movie. And you skipped straight to Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and obscure but yummy wines from places in Europe nobody can find on a map. I love your efficiency!

Fast forward… These days, Merlot isn’t an “It” grape. So, people who grow it are serious about it. People who order it expect quality—at prices lower than Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. And that brings me back to the 2015 McIntyre Merlot, which we’ve agreed you’re buying by the case(s).

2015 McIntyre Merlot Kimberly Vineyard Arroyo Seco AVA 92+ 14.4% 750ml $…

This Merlot is from the Arroyo Seco AVA, which is just south of—and warmer than—the Santa Lucia Highlands. It’s still a moderately cool region and primarily associated with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It has a long, dry, temperate growing season. That means growers can let their Merlot hang for as long as they like and the fruit will get ripe without losing much acidity or tannic structure.

Or tannic structure. Or tannic structure. The 2015 McIntyre Merlot, from their Kimberly Vineyard in Arroyo Seco, has beautiful black cherry fruit. And it has tannic structure for days.

How many days? That depends on your approach. In my case, for review purposes, it was three days. But it could be 1,825 days, or 3,650.

Upon initial opening and pouring, the opaque, ruby-purple Merlot offered friendly aromas of sweet spices, bing cherry jam, and cocoa. The first sip delivered full body with flavors that matched the nose. Then, the fine-grained, powdery and chalky tannins kicked in.

Tannins are attracted to protein. If you’re not eating protein-rich food with your wine, tannins collect the proteins in your saliva. Unfortunately, your taste buds rely on those same proteins. So, substantial tannins + no meat = short finish. The remedies are food, thorough decanting, or aging (aging the wine, not you, though they do seem to go hand-in-hand).

Meanwhile, back at the wine… After a few more grippy sips, I let it breathe in my glass for three hours. Re-tasting then showed no appreciable difference. That isn’t a bad thing. It can be a good thing. But it’s a thing you should know.

I put the cork back in the bottle and stored it in the fridge for three days. Then I poured myself a glass and let it come up to temperature for a couple of hours. I tasted the wine. It was the same as it had been three days before, except there was now a gorgeous cassis note on the nose too. Cassis notwithstanding, it was time for Plan D. 

I poured the wine into a decanter in a way that maximized air exposure. Then I poured it slowly back into the bottle, using a funnel, in a way that maximized air exposure. Then I poured it back into the decanter in a way that maximized air exposure. Then I let it sit there for an hour. 

Presto, change-o. The tannins were, and still are as I write this more than an hour later, thick and textural, but also luxurious and on the way to velvety. And they don’t get in the way of the finish, which is now long and delicious. Drinking it with some beef, the tannins are positively velvety.

So, How Much does the McIntyre Merlot Cost, Anyway?

The 2015 McIntyre Merlot comes in a heavy, thick-glassed bottle with a deep punt. Heavy bottles are expensive and associated with high-quality wines. Deep punts accommodate a lot of sediment (which precipitates over years in a cellar) and are associated with wines intended to age. Both suggest an expensive wine. The McIntyre Merlot is just $28.

Hence my mention of cases. If you like red wine that is full in the mouth, with rich, ripe—not overripe—fruit and plush tannins, you’re going to like this wine a lot. And, because of the structure, moderate acidity, and an abundance of fruit, it should age quite well. The tannins will slowly diminish and complexity will build. 

So, I’d consider buying a case. Open a bottle every two years. When the wine’s in a spot you love, go hog-wild on the rest. If you can afford two cases now, you can go hog-wilder later. I suspect the sweet spot will start in about five years, but it depends on how you like your wines and how cold your cellar is.

Sustainability

McIntyre Vineyards is SIP Certified.

[Sustainability is important and I think consumers should know which wineries are making an effort. From now on, I’ll be including notes on sustainability status for wines and wineries in articles when possible.]

Copyright Fred Swan 2019. Images courtesy of McIntyre Vineyards. All rights reserved.

About the author: Fred Swan is an Oakland-based writer, educator, and event sommelier. He’s written for GuildSomm.com, Daily.SevenFifty.com, The Tasting Panel, SOMM Journal, PlanetGrape.com, and more. Fred teaches a wide range of classes at the San Francisco Wine School. He’s founder/producer of Wine Writers’ Educational Tours, an annual, educational conference for professional wine writers. He also leads seminars, private wine tours, and conducts tastings, dinners, and events for wineries, companies, and private parties. Fred’s certifications include WSET Diploma, Certified Sommelier, California Wine Appellation Specialist, Certified Specialist of Wine, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Professional, Napa Valley Wine Educator, Northwest Wine Appellation Specialist, and Level 3 WSET Educator. He’s twice been awarded a fellowship by the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers.

Exploring Meatless Merlot Pairings

Proprietor Steve McIntyre is one of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in California.  As owner/operator of Monterey Pacific, he and his team farm 12,000 acres in Monterey County and have planted or farmed nearly one quarter of the vineyards in the renowned Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 

The McIntyre Estate Vineyard lies in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, a 12-mile stretch of benchland renowned for production wines of character and complexity. Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre site (60 acres planted) boasts some of the Highlands’ oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. The winery’s other estate property is the 81-acre Kimberly Vineyard in Arroyo Seco.  The Arroyo Seco AVA produces deep, powerful, well-structured Merlot. The McIntyre Estate Vineyard was among the first properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands to be SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certified. 

Fruit for the 2015 McIntyre Vineyards Merlot Kimberly Vineyard was sourced from 20 year old vines.  It pours a nearly opaque garnet with dark and red fruit, violets, tobacco, licorice, and a hint of cola aromas. On the palate it’s full bodied and elegant with vibrant acidity and velvety well integrated tannins. It shows ripe blackberry, black cherry, black currant, a hint of boysenberry vanilla, graphite, licorice and savory spice flavors with a hint of cacao and a very satisfying finish. 14% abv|SRP-$25. Wonderful QPR with this alluring wine.  (Martin Redmond, Enoflyz Blog)

JVB Uncorked reviews Rose

Color is a medium and warm coral pink. The nose is heavy with wildflowers, followed with a hint of rose bush and sage. In the mouth, superbly dry, delicate raspberry on the front palate while heat moves quickly across the top and back palate; the sides and back palate observe ripe cherry, young raspberry and yellow peach with a lovely tart finish that lingers, then wanes in the mouth. This wine paired beautifully with grilled chicken and asparagus, then again with rice and vegetables the following day, and again once more with a vegetarian black bean tostada. If you are looking for a well-made, sustainably-certified rosé of pinot noir, this may be your zenith; I certainly would pick it up again without hesitation.

If you are a fan of rosés that are made sustainably and simply, exhibiting beauty from minimal intervention and indigenous yeasts, you owe it to yourself to try McIntyre Rosé of Pinot Noir. 

#WIYG? 

à votre santé!                                                          (full article link is in picture)

McIntyre Family Wines Breaks Ground in Santa Lucia Highlands

SALINAS, California – May 1, 2019 – The McIntyre family has broken ground on the first phase of their winery hospitality center at their McIntyre Estate Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA of Monterey County. The new facility will be located on the River Road Wine Trail, approximately five miles from the city of Gonzales, California.

Phase 1 of the hospitality center plan includes a large park and an outdoor amphitheater for small and large events. The park will feature a pedestrian tunnel that will eventually serve as the entrance to an underground barrel room. Ultimately, when the project is finished, there will be a tasting room, offices, courtyard, kitchen and a winery facility. Phase 1 is scheduled to be finished by mid-August of 2019.

Steve McIntyre has a long history in the Santa Lucia Highlands that stretches nearly four decades. He has planted and farmed more than 20% of the entire AVA and vinified hundreds of wines from its grapes. Steve McIntyre knows the soils and the climate of SLH and understands what makes this celebrated region so special.

“The Santa Lucia Highlands is one of the world’s greatest regions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay,” says Steve McIntyre. “It’s also one of the most serene places in California. When our customers visit our property, touch our soil, taste our wines and talk to our family, they have a much deeper appreciation of what we are trying to accomplish. Our new hospitality center will give wine lovers a front-row seat to the Santa Lucia Highlands and McIntyre Family Wines.”

The public is currently invited to taste McIntyre Wines at their Tasting Studio in the Crossroads Shopping Center off Hwy 1 and Rio Road in Carmel. The Carmel location is open Tuesday – Sunday from 11 am – 6 pm. For more information on the Tasting Studio call 831-626-6268 or email taste@mcintyrevineyards.com.

 

New Releases from Santa Lucia Highlands & Neighbors by Josh Raynolds

Steve McIntyre owns a sizable chunk of vineyard land in the Central Coast, with his 80-acre site in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands and another 81 acres in Arroyo Seco. The Santa Lucia Highlands site, which McIntyre has owned since 1987, was planted in 1973, making it one of the oldest in the region.

 

2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir:  90 pts     *Support Breast Cancer with this bottle*

"Pale orange-pink. Bright and energetic on the incisive nose, displaying fresh red berry, orange zest and floral scents and a subtle herbalnuance. Chewy and taut in the mouth, offering zesty strawberry and bitter cherry flavors that take a sweeter turn with aeration. A minerally note adds cut to the finish, which lingers with very good, floral-accented tenacity."

2014 Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir: 94 pts

"Deep bright-hued red. A complex bouquet evokes candied red berries, cola, incense and floral oils, and a suggestion of vanilla emerges as the wine stretches out. Fleshy and alluringly sweet, offering black raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors that are energized and given lift by a jolt of juicy acidity. Blends power and finesse with a sure hand and shows no rough edges. The floral and cola notes return on a strikingly long, energetic finish that's shaped by smooth tannins."

2015 Per Ardua Red Blend: 92 pts     *Wine Club Only until November 2018*

"Vivid ruby. Perfumed aromas of cherry preserves, red currant, pipe tobacco, cedary oak and dark chocolate. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering sweet red fruit liqueur and mocha flavors that take a darker turn on the back half. Cassis and cherry qualities linger impressively on the finish, which is framed by dusty, building tannins."  

2016 Estate Pinot Noir:  91 pts 

"(one-third new French oak) Brilliant red. Lively, mineral-laced red fruit, floral and cola aromas are accompanied by vanilla and woodsmoke nuances. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering bitter cherry and raspberry flavors that become sweeter on the back half. Shows very good depth as well as energy and finishes long and smooth, with strong, red-fruit-driven persistence and silky tannins that add subtle grip."

2016 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay:  90 pts 

"(30% new French oak) Light bright yellow. Fresh peach, melon and tangerine on the fragrant nose. Juicy and pliant on the palate, offering gently sweet orchard and pit fruit flavors that slowly tighten up on the back half. In a fresh, forward style, with no rough edges. The appealingly sweet, nicely persistent finish leaves a hint of honeydew melon behind."

2016 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir:  90 pts

"Vivid red. Ripe red berries, sassafras, rose oil and a hint of mocha on the perfumed nose. Silky and energetic in the mouth, offering pliant raspberry and cherry flavors that are sharpened by a peppery note. In a fruity, forward style, showing very good closing thrust, no obvious tannins and persistent red berry character."

2016 Estate K-1 Block Chardonnay:  93 pts     *Not released, coming soon!*

"Pale gold. Displays expansive aromas of ripe citrus and orchard fruits, along with smoky mineral, jasmine and toasted brioche qualities. Sweet, seamless and penetrating on the palate, offering intense pear nectar, tangerine and pineapple flavors that are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Blends power and finesse with a sure hand and shows a seductively velvet-like texture. The floral and mineral notes come back strong on the finish, which hangs on with strong persistence."

2016 Estate Chardonnay:  92 pts 

"Limpid yellow. Vibrant, smoke- and mineral-accented aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruits are complemented by a suave floral overtone that builds with aeration. Offers palate-staining pear and tangerine flavors that pick up a toasty lees note on the back half and shows excellent clarity. Deep yet lively in character, delivering solid finishing thrust and leaving a sexy, floral quality behind."

                                                                                [Full Article Here] 

Ease into Cooler Weather with 10 Autumn-Perfect Wines

When the heat of the day transitions into a chilly night, we know that fall is here. And, for many, when the weather changes, so do our choices in wine and food. That crisp, mineral driven white wine that was perfect by the lake suddenly isn’t as satisfying while sitting next to the warmth of a backyard bonfire. The almost translucent rosé that paired so well with a fresh seafood salad enjoyed alfresco doesn’t taste as luscious with those spicy ribs falling off the bone at the tailgate barbecue (as you’re huddled under a blanket).

McIntyre Vineyards

Located in Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, McIntyre Estate Vineyard lies along a 12 mile stretch of benchland that produces wines of character and complexity. Planted in 1972, the 80-acre site of which 60 acres are under vine, offers some of the area’s oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. Proprietor Steve McIntyre, who also owns and operates Monterey Pacific, notes that the McIntyre Estate Vineyard was among the first properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands to be SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certified.

McIntyre 2016 Chardonnay ($28) will satisfy every Chardonnay lover’s palate. Intense aromas of juicy citrus, yellow flowers, and stone fruit paved the way to flavors of lemon, citrus, baked apple, tropical fruit, and bananas. Thanks to a round mouthfeel, vibrant acidity, and juicy finish, pair this wine with roast chicken and fingerling potatoes for Sunday supper.

McIntyre 2016 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay ($38) is sophistication in a bottle. Creamy on both the nose and palate, structure, complexity, and minerality were obvious with each sip. I discovered notes of oak and vanilla, almonds and warm apple pie, lemon and stone fruit as I appreciated the brilliant acidity and lingering finish. Pair this wine with homemade crabcakes, spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, and candlelight.

12 California Chardonnay I Liked [Bigger Than Your Head]

You may be thinking apropos the title of this post, “F.K., why didn’t you just say ’12 California Chardonnays’? Why add ‘I liked'”? Because, Dear Reader, I don’t like many chardonnays made in California, so when I come across a dozen that I can write about together, I want to emphasize that fact. The reason, as you probably know from having been a devoted reader of this blog — bless your little pointy heads! — is that so many chardonnays from The Golden State are saturated with swamps of oak that I open even one with trepidation, and when I’m looking for an appropriate white wine to drink with dinner, I will open just about anything other than chardonnay. It’s a real crap-shoot, this whole chardonnay business. The wines reported on in this post age in French oak barrels for varying amounts of time and using various percentages of new barrels, but the important point is that all 12 achieve a state of balance among all elements, sometimes pushing the boundaries, it’s true, but sometimes that bold, risky factor adds a frisson of appreciation. Other selections here are more elegant and restrained. Today we range from Santa Barbara County in the south to Mendocino County in the north. Vintages represented are 2014, ’15 and ’16, with the ’14s really coming into a state of grace. These wines were samples for review, for which I thank the wineries and marketing people involved. 

The pale straw-gold McIntyre Vineyard Chardonnay 2015, Santa Lucia Highlands, is a rich, bold chardonnay that  ultimately displays itsbalance and integrity. A heady bouquet of lightly toasted pineapple and grapefruit offers notes of green apple and pear, cloves and allspice, camellia and lilac; it’s a dense, vibrant and resonant chardonnay, obviously delivering a lot of personality, presence and flavor on the palate but restrained by a dry, crystalline edge of flint and chalk minerality. The finish brings in hints of dusty graphite, smoke and a touch of woodsy spice. 14.2 percent alcohol. Steve McIntyre made 840 cases. Drink now through 2021 to ’24. Excellent. About $28.

[Posted by Fredric Koeppel, Bigger Thank Your Head blogger, http://biggerthanyourhead.net/2018/06/04/12-california-chardonnays-i-liked/]

NEW Reviews for McIntyre Wine

McINTYRE VINEYARDS, 2015 CHARDONNAY SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, $240 ($30) ★ ★ ★ ★

McINTYRE VINEYARDS, 2014 CHARDONNAY McINTYRE ESTATE VINEYARD, $320 ($40) ★ ★ ★ ★ +

Two excellent Chardonnays. The SLH bottling is full bodied, very supple in texture, ripely flavored, and lightly oaked; a wine that is well balanced and medium long on the finish. In aroma/flavor, it tastes of pear, apple, white peach, vanilla, and toast. Fine value. 840 cases. 14.2% F The Estate Vineyard is a richer wine: fleshy in texture, full bodied, and intensely fruity (pear, white peach, apple, pineapple, lemon), it has modest oak character (vanilla, toast), good balance, and a very long finish. A luscious wine. Excellent value. 240 cases. 14.2% [2018-2020]

McINTYRE VINEYARDS, 2016 ROSE OF PINOT  NOIR, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, $208 ($26) ★ ★ ★+

Light salmon pink color. An intensely flavored, crisp rose that is round, balanced, and long on the finish, tasting of plum, peach, and lemon. Very good value. 340 cases. 13.1% [2018-2019]

McINTYRE VINEYARDS, 2014 KIMBERLY VINEYARDS, ARROYO SECO, $224 ($28) ★ ★ ★ ★

A supple, full bodied Merlot of excellent quality. It is quite rich in flavor (blueberry, cherry, cassis, cedar, spicy oak), balanced, and long on the finish. Will develop with further aging. 14.5% [2019-2023]

McINTYRE VINEYARDS, 2015 PINOT NOIR SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, $320 ($40) ★ ★ ★ ★

A full bodied, intensely flavored Pinot Noir that has good depth, light tannin, and a very long, firm finish, tasting of blueberry jam, strawberry, rose petal, pepper, dried fig, herbs, vanilla, and oak. Can be aged further. 540 cases. 14.3% [2019-2022] 

McINTYRE VINEYARDS 2015 PINOT NOIR McCINTYRE ESTATE VINEYARD, $192/6 ($48) ★ ★ ★ ★

McINTYRE VINEYARDS 2013 PINOT NOIR OLD VINE, ESTATE, $280/6 ($70) ★ ★ ★ ★+

Two excellent Pinot Noirs. The 2015 Estate Pinot is a supple, full bodied, medium rich wine that is well balanced, mildly tannic, and long on the finish. It has complex aromas/flavors (plum, strawberry, cherry, red currant, black tea, spicy oak), and warrants at least 3 more years of aging. 368 cases. 14.1% F The 2013 Old Vine is fleshy in texture, full bodied, and concentrated; a Pinot Noir with excellent depth and balance, and a very long, lightly tannic finish. In tastes of plum, blueberry jam, strawberry, black tea, cedar, and oak. Will develop further. From 40+ year old vines. 76 cases. 14.4% [2019-2022]