by Zoltan Szabo

Nancy McNally and her family grow grapes exclusively for Peninsula Ridge

2009 ‘Proprietor’s Reserve’ McNally Vineyards Pinot Noir, Peninsula Ridge, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
This Pinot is the winery’s first, made by talented Jamie Evans. Made of fruit coming from 4 years old vines and harvested by no other than proprietor himself Norm Beal, Jamie and their two boys, along with retail shop manager Jessica, who also did the sorting over Thanksgiving weekend in 2009. The yield was 0.8 T / acre (!!) and the grapes were handpicked, of course. Aromas and flavours of red and black cherries, oak toast and warm spice – cedar, juicy beets, cola pop and barnyard. Medium bodied and fresh with soft tannins. Cross between New Zealand – Central Otago and California – Sonoma Coast, stylistically speaking, yet it is so Beamsville Bench, with underlying mineral nuances and a seam of juicy – refreshing acidity. Oak yet to fully integrate, but there’s plenty of fruit to support it. This Pinot grows on you as evolving and opening up, comes with a great length boasting fleshy sour cherry and oak smoke nuances. Just above $20 for licensees: peninsularidge.com.