Easily the best MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir ever. Shows impressive depth and complexity, with rich flavors of cherries, red currants, cola, pomegranates, persimmons and smoky sandalwood, finished with tangy Asian spices. Tastes a bit jammy, suggesting a few years in the bottle.
— S.H.
(3/1/2010)
Russian River-based MacMurray Ranch turns to the Central Coast’s Santa Lucia Highlands for Pinot Noir, with admirable results. This is a terrific wine for drinking now, dry and powerful in red fruits, cola and spices, yet elegantly tailored. Might develop for a few years, but best now for youthful exuberance, although you do want to give it three hours in a decanter.
— S.H.
(3/1/2012)
Currently hard and tart in acids and tannins, but loaded with sweet, ripe fruit, this Pinot is silky enough to drink now, which most consumers probably will. But if you give it until sometime in 2010, the cherries, cola, sandalwood and spices will mesh and improve.
— S.H.
(12/15/2009)
One thing about PG is that, no matter whether it’s oaked or not, the best ones need a cool climate. That’s just what the grapes got here. The racy acidity is preserved, while long hang time gives ripe fruit and spice flavors. In this case, there’s a touch of oak and lees, which adds layers to this delicious, complex white wine.
— S.H.
(2/1/2007)
Succulent and crisp; those two words are what you want in a California Pinot Gris, and you get them here. The pear, pineapple, peach and fig flavors are balanced with refreshing acidity, while a touch of oak and sur lie aging adds accents of smoke and creamy vanilla.
— S.H.
(5/1/2008)
A proper, textbook Pinot Noir—it’s dry, nicely crisp, with smoothly astringent tannins. It has pleasant, complex cherry, pomegranate, plum, tobacco, bacon and sandalwood flavors. Not an ager, so drink up with upscale fare.
— S.H.
(7/1/2012)
Mainly Dijon clones off Martini’s Del Rio property cropped at a measly 1.5 tons per acre, this wine shows good concen-tration and a full, soft mouthfeel. Cherry and vanilla flavors predominate, with a hint of mint adding some herbal complexity. Ends on dark chocolate and coffee notes; could use a little more length and fruit on the finish. Only 400 cases produced.
— W.E.
(11/1/2005)
Rich and voluptuous, this low-production Pinot shows very ripe cherry pie filling, red currant, cola, licorice, beef jerky, orange zest and pepper spice flavors that finish thoroughly dry. Silky and delicately structured, it seems at its best over the next year or two.
— S.H.
(2/1/2009)