• 2010 Canyon Road Pinot Noir - USA, California (11/12/2011)
  Although this wine doesn’t have much pinot character, it’s a good-drinking wine for the very low retail price (around $7.) Unlike other value wines, this has some real berry on the palate and a slightly tight, pleasant, lingering finish. Perfectly reasonable choice for a casual party. (Disclosure: I am tasting this on a United Airlines flight, and I previously received a sample bottle from the winery.) (81 points)
• 2010 Infinite Monkey Theorem Alvarinho - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (11/6/2011)
  Slightly metallic nose. Green apple and grapefruit. Lingering finish. Would go well with chicken or vegetable dishes. (88 points) Tasted at Row 14 wine bar in Denver.
• 2008 Red Diamond Winery Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington (10/27/2011)
  Very soft palate with a sweet, almost medicinal finish. Heavy on the cherry notes. Not fabulous but cannot complain given the low price. (76 points) Tasted at Next Door in New York.
  
• 2008 Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve - USA, Virginia (10/23/2011)
  Crisp, hints of pear, lingering finish. Drink now. (88 points)

Posted from CellarTracker

James MacPhail makes some of the most delicious California Pinot Noirs that I have ever had. And I am going to take him at his word that this transaction combining his winery with Sequana, a Pinot powerhouse of the Hess Family will preserve everything that makes his wines so special. I think I can trust him, as MacPhail has been Sequana’s winemaker since it was founded in 2007. 

Although both wineries have modest production (MacPhail produces around 4,000 cases per year; Sequana has produced around 11,000,) I am a little concerned that a combined operation may shift more towards a serious business than a family winery. On the other hand, MacPhail’s success has been his ability to personally control every step of the process that leads to his Pinots — on either label. Maybe a stronger combined business built on that concept isn’t a bad thing. Congratulations to James MacPhail. I look forward to many more wines from you in the future.

Other Hess brands include The Hess Collection and Artezin in California; Australian’s Peter Lehmann of the Barossa; Amalaya and Colome in Argentina; Glen Carlou in South Africa. 

MacPhailFamilyWinesJoinsTheHessCollection

And a hat-tip to Stark Insider for first alerting me to this news.