Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
More than your usual cookie-cutter wine, the 2014 MacMurray Russian River Valley Pinot Noir exhibits the authentic character of the grape—red fruit, some dried leaves, a hint of blue fruit, an accent of oak. The wine's complexities make it an excellent choice with grilled lamb chops. (Tasted: May 3, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
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Tasting Panel
Bright and fresh with crisp acidity and dense cherry fruit; silky, smooth and showing notes of earth and spice.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.