2014 Kale Wines Heritage McGah Vineyard

Estate: Kale Wines
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, North Coast, California, United States of America
Vineyard: McGah Vineyard

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Tasting Note:October 26, 2017

Second time we are trying the inaugural vintage of the Heritage McGah Vineyard bottling out of Rutherford in Napa Valley. Medium ruby red with a touch of garnet. A bit tight on the pop and pour with some dark raspberries, some more strawberries, sweet spices, roses, and dried herbs. Layered palate with tons of dark floral notes, some cinnamon, dark berries and a touch of bramble. Excellent structure and acidity, balanced too. Medium tannins (6/10) and rounded. Long and semi-dry finish.


This is the inaugural bottling of this Rhone blend from the McGah Vineyard in Rutherford. The 2014 vintage is made up of 87% Grenache, 8% Mourvédre, and 5% Syrah. The Grenache and Mourvédre were co-fermented and gravity-fed to a stainless steel open top fermentor. From this co-fermented juice a significant saignée was taken in order to concentrate the flavors in the juice. Aged for 11 months in neutral French oak barrels. Only 114 cases produced and 15.5% alcohol.

Drink Dates:

2018 till 2028.

Rating:

92+ points.

Price Point:

$$$ - Provided as a sample from the winery. Can be purchased for $70.00 from the winery.


Tasting Note:August 26, 2016

Inaugural vintage of the Heritage McGah Vineyard bottling out of Rutherford in Napa Valley. Dark ruby red with a high viscosity. On day one the nose started with dark berries and a slight mix of earthy and greenery notes, such as twigs and forest floor. Day two and three the complexity increased with blueberries, cinnamon, lavender, chalk and deeper dark fruits. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10), medium plus bodied and long dry finish. This is extremely young, the alcohol is a little harsh and needs some time to dissipate. Pretty tight on the palate with cinnamon and dark berries showing. Day two and three not much changed, alcohol tapered a bit but still quite noticeable, hopefully a couple more years in the bottle this will wear off. As with all the bottlings from Kale, tons of potential.


This is the inaugural bottling of this Rhone blend from the McGah Vineyard in Rutherford. The 2014 vintage is made up of 87% Grenache, 8% Mourvédre, and 5% Syrah. The Grenache and Mourvédre were co-fermented and gravity-fed to a stainless steel open top fermentor. From this co-fermented juice a significant saignée was taken in order to concentrate the flavors in the juice. Aged for 11 months in neutral French oak barrels. Only 114 cases produced and 15.5% alcohol.

Drink Dates:

2018 till 2028.

Rating:

92+ points.

Price Point:

$$$ - Provided as a sample from the winery. Can be purchased for $70.00 from the winery.