Winemaker Notes
With estate vineyards in some of the world’s most sought-after regions, MacMurray Estate Vineyards crafts an award-winning collection of pinot noir and cool-climate white wines from Sonoma County and the Central Coast. The winemaker oversees everything from rootstock selection to barrel aging, to create a portfolio of wines that illuminates the unique, nuanced flavors of each estate vineyard.
A blend of exceptional lots from our premier Russian River Valley vineyards, our MacMurray Estate Vineyards Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir shows the depth and versatility of this extraordinary region. Characterized by its silky-smooth mouth feel, luxuriously plush fruit notes and hints of earthiness, this deeply complex and layered Pinot Noir offers notes of juicy plum, cherry, cranberry and rhubarb, while subtle notes of earth, baking spice and anise linger on the finish. Fine-grained tannins and fruit intensity give this Pinot Noir its distinctive, well-structured palate.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a juicy, earthy and expansive wine, with highlights of rose petal and wild strawberry. Pretty and ethereal, it offers body without an abundance of weight, the oak and tannin both integrated well.
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.