Kutch Wines’ Pinot Noir and Chardonnay: A Good Discovery
Kutch Wines is a small production, artisan winery in Sonoma. I found their wines through reviews and wanted to check it out for myself. Again, I use the wine critics as resources, not as gospel. Given the number of wineries in Napa Valley (500+) and in Sonoma County (400+), it would be near impossible and costly to spend time visiting every winery, even if I could. Many do not welcome visitors. With that said, setting out on a Pinot Noir day with my good friend Eric, we journeyed to Kutch.
The address took us to an industrial area of warehouse style buildings with many small production sites. Our host this day was the associate winemaker, Joanna Wells. Kutch is a two-person production, and Joanna is a very capable associate in the enterprise. This is a small 1000-case total production. Joanna has worked with Jamie Kutch for over 6 years and clearly is very dedicated to the winery goals. Many times when visiting wineries, you rarely get someone as knowledgeable and involved with the wine to lead you through a visit. This was a rare treat.
Jamie and Joanna visit the vineyards and keep a careful eye on the vines. While they do not own vineyards, they have several long-term contracts in place to secure the fruit from year to year. They are also exploring other vineyards that allow them to slowly grow in their production. Joanna took us through the entire process from when the grapes arrive, and we stood right in the heart of their production facility. Again, meeting with the associate winemaker gives you a real up-close and personal feel for the process and the wine itself – the care and personal attention it gets from beginning to end.
The tasting was a real winner. We tasted through the entire portfolio of Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay. These wines are delightful expressions of the vine. The flavors are full and rich with fruit and nuanced aromas. The most striking aspect is the Old World flair with texture, balance and relatively low alcohol. These wines were 11.5% and 12% alcohol that were balanced with fruit and acidity.
My favorite wine from the tasting was the McDougall Ranch Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. It had rich flavors with balance and depth. Here is a sampling of a review:
“The 2016 Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch is the most complete and alluring of these wines. Powerful, deep and resonant in the glass, the 2016 captures all the elements that make Jamie Kutch’s wines so compelling. Smoke, tar, incense and savory herbs wrap around a core of black cherry fruit in this layered, powerful wine.”
This is taken from Antonio Galloni’s review published in Vinous. He gave the wine 94 points; and, at a price of $60, it is a bargain for the quality. I also purchased another of the Pinots and the Chardonnay. This, again, is a wine done in more Old World style having more minerality and lower alcohol with great structure.
I can wholeheartedly recommend these wines and, if possible, a visit with these two talented winemakers carving out a name for themselves with the wine they make.
Here is a link to the press they have received: https://kutchwines.com/press-2.
Enjoy!