Winemaker Notes
A blend o f exceptional lots from their premier Russian River Valley vineyards, the MacMurray Estate Vineyards Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir shows the depth and versatility of this extraordinary region. Characterized by its velvety mouth feel, luxuriously plush fruit characteristics and hints of earthiness, this complex and layered Pinot Noir offers notes of juicy plum, cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry. Subtle floral notes and hints of earth and anise linger on the satisfying finish. Fine-grained tannins and fruit intensity give this Pinot Noir its distinctive, well-structured palate.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Reserve offers up notes of crushed red plums, black raspberries and pomegranate with touches of damp soil and dried herbs. Medium-bodied and delicately crafted with a pleasant savory character in the mouth and plush tannins, it has a refreshing herbal lift on the finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Velvety and full bodied, this is a robust, ripe wine, high-toned in notes of rhubarb, black tea and turned earth. It presents as lush and persistent on the palate, with a fruit-forward flavor and an impressive underlying complexity.
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Wine & Spirits
Catch this now for its freshness and gentle rain of brisk fruit. It’s sweetly ripe, moving between saturated flavor and airy grace. Pretty and rich.
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.