What Kind of Wine Is MacMurray Pinot Noir?
MacMurray Pinot Noir is a red wine from Sonoma County in California. It opens with aromas of spring flowers and boysenberry, while tastes of dark fruits and baking spices, as well as subtle hints of oak from the aging, dominate the flavor. The hot Mediterranean climate of the region provides vital warmth to the Pinot Noir vines. In return, the grapes increase their juice concentration and give luscious and elegant wines.
Most successful Pinot Noir examples showcase a wealth of red fruit aromas, earthiness, and lively acidity. And contrary to wines produced in different wine-growing regions of the world, Californian wines tend to conserve their refreshing fruitiness in favor of structure and complexity. They remain fruity and dainty, ignoring unnecessary elaborateness. Without further delay, it is time for an in-depth review of MacMurray Pinot Noir!
MacMurray Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Review
- Winery — MacMurray Estate
- Country/Region — United States, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
- Type — Californian Pinot Noir
- Aroma — Lavender, Black Cherry, Blackberry, Boysenberry, Strawberry, Pomegranate, Leather, Mushroom, Vanilla Spice
- Grapes — Pinot Noir
- Taste — Red Cherry, Raspberry, Chocolate, Butter, Caramel, Smoke, Tobacco, Soil, Cinnamon Spice
- Alcohol Content — 14.3%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Beef Steaks, Game, Salmon, Spaghetti With Meatballs
MacMurray is a premium Pinot Noir from California State that not only promises but delivers in every way. It is thrilling, revolutionary even, and proudly showcases its warm American personality in every drop, sniff, and sip. As aromas of lavender, cherry, and boysenberry draw wine enthusiasts in, flavors of red fruits mixed with chocolate, smoke, and tobacco dominate the mouth.
Soil also unearths, while silky tannins and a controlled but refreshing acidity add balance and roundness to the palate. In closing, MacMurray is a treat of a wine. And it might command a premium price, but you get what you pay for. In this case, what you get is a perfectly balanced Pinot Noir that has undergone a barrel aging, celebrating the most charming aspects of its popular varietal.
Tasting Notes
MacMurray Pinot Noir wine is delightful and opens with intense aromas of lavender, cherry, and boysenberry. Notes of pomegranate and strawberry emerge, while touches of leather and vanilla spice blend harmoniously. In the mouth, flavors of red fruits coated in dark chocolate and hints of smoke and tobacco unearth, adding structure. They lead to a lingering, creamy finish. MacMurray Pinot Noir has a distinctive tasting profile, celebrating its premium and incomparable quality.
Appearance
Unlike most Californian Pinot Noirs, MacMurray has a deep ruby color, reminding one of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blends. The center is semi-opaque and opens near the rim, where purple hints appear after some vigorous swirls. MacMurray has a fascinating appearance. It is like experiencing a crimson sunset on a faraway island in the Pacific. Dreamy but vivid.
Aroma
Start by uncorking the bottle slowly. Then, close your eyes. Take a long, deep breath. And sniff. That will have been a wonderful aromatic experience. After all, not many Californian Pinot Noirs open with such a multitude of primary and secondary aromas. MacMurray is one of the best of its kind, with an explosion of lavender, cherry, blackberry, and boysenberry emerging from its ruby depths, accompanied by chic touches of leather, mushroom, and vanilla spice. This is what a spectacular nose is. Fresh and complicated.
Taste
A wave of red cherries and ripe strawberries, blended in dark chocolate, dominate the mouth, celebrating the Pinot Noir varietal. And while savoring these cherished sips of wine, an earthy character surfaces. In addition, hints of smoke and cigar appear a short while after, elevating the palate. Ultimately, soft and smooth tannins are the structural backbone to this well-balanced, medium-bodied Californian red.
Finish
MacMurray Pinot Noir has a smooth and lingering finish and maintains its varietal character right to the end. Cherries and juicy strawberries, together with notes of charred wood and coffee, complete the infusion. An ever-present creaminess is prevalent too. Grippy tannins can be felt on the tip of the tongue while a vibrant acidity cleanses the mouth, preparing it for another delicious sip.
Rating
MacMurray is an absorbing and complicated Pinot Noir from California. It has a distinctive personality, and it is full of different layers. MacMurray has a nose filled with lavender and black fruits on the front, with intense earthiness coming after. The palate is delicious as it shows an abundance of berry fruit flavors. Also, the depth of chocolate, smoke, and baking spices, is ever prevalent. I would rate MacMurray Pinot Noir as charming and welcoming as it is fruity and complex. It is an absolute manifestation of uncompromising and passionate American winemaking.
MacMurray Pinot Noir Food Pairing
Pinot Noirs might be delicate, but they do make a luscious combination with beef steaks. A juicy rib-eye grilled on a Sunday barbecue will allow MacMurray to showcase its fruity aromas and oak character, integrating beautifully with the meat. Game, like deer, will pair incredibly with the strawberry sensations of the wine. Another great option is to combine the wine with herb-crusted salmon. And that is what is fascinating about MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir; That it can accompany even fish. Finally, for more casual occasions, spaghetti with meatballs in tomato sauce is the way to go. The tomato ingredients blend marvelously with the berry and mushroom touches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes MacMurray Pinot Noir?
MacMurray Pinot Noir is produced by MacMurray Estate Vineyards, located in Sonoma County, California. Their namesake vineyard MacMurray Ranch has been a farmstead since the nineteenth century. In 1941, actor Fred MacMurray, bought the ranch and kept raising prize-winning cattle and farming crops. In 1999 it was transformed into a Pinot-only vineyard. Since then, MacMurray Estate Vineyards has grown to encompass estate vineyards throughout the Russian River and the Central Coast. Winemaker Boyd Morrison and his team craft the winery’s collection of Pinot Noir wines.
How Is MacMurray Pinot Noir Made?
Following the harvest, the Pinot Noir grapes are cold-soaked for at least two days to enhance the extraction of color and flavors. Next, they are placed inside stainless steel vessels to undergo alcoholic fermentation. Afterward, the free-run juice is separated from the press and allowed to settle before malolactic fermentation in oak barrels occurs. This procedure promotes seamless integration of wine and oak. When it is over, the final wine is filtered from enzymes and bottled.
Where Is MacMurray Pinot Noir Made?
MacMurray is crafted from Pinot Noir grapes cultivated in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. Russian River Valley has cool, foggy conditions and is best known for elegant Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and sparkling wines. Sonoma County is larger than Napa County, the most celebrated winemaking region in California, with a greater variety of climates. California is home to some of the most acclaimed wines of the American peninsula.
How to Serve MacMurray Pinot Noir?
MacMurray Pinot Noir is served best at room temperature, approximately fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit (ten to fifteen degrees Celsius), and in larger-sized wine glasses. In addition, even though it is a primary fruit-forward wine, I would not recommend chilling it, as that would cause both its elegant berry and structured secondary aromas and flavors to dissipate. That said, decanting is a fantastic option and would benefit the wine with the necessary aeration. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, the aromatic and flavor intensity of MacMurray elevates. Grab your favorite crystal decanter and wine glasses and have a juicy portion of MacMurray on the patio.
How Much Does MacMurray Pinot Noir Cost?
The wine commands a premium price, reflecting its complexity, smoothness, and quality. MacMurray Pinot Noir price ranges from $17 to $31 per 750ml bottle, depending on vintage and vendor. It makes a classy gift choice for friends or potential clients.
How Long Does MacMurray Pinot Noir Last?
Pinot Noirs, in general, are not suitable for aging. And the reason for that is that they are fruit-forward and do not display the needed complexity to withstand maturation. The Pinot Noir wines that undergo aging are blended mostly with Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and body. Since MacMurray is not a blend, it seems risky to try to put it in long-term storage. By aging it, there is a good chance its freshness will be eliminated and leave behind a dull and faulty wine. That said, the wine could perhaps age for a short time, under certain circumstances, as that would allow it to develop additional secondary and tertiary sensations.
MacMurray Pinot Noir should be sealed with a cork and stored in a calm environment with temperatures that do not fluctuate (fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit or ten to fifteen degrees Celsius) and a portion of humidity. Direct sunlight or artificial light is not beneficial as it will damage the wine by messing around with its enzymes, responsible for a successful maturation. On top of that, the environment should be odor-free as odors find their way inside the bottle and affect the wine’s quality by giving it unpleasant flavors. Lastly, I would recommend a maximum of one year of maturation, as more time will harm the wine’s fresh and berry character.
How Many Calories Does MacMurray Pinot Noir Have?
MacMurray Russian River Pinot Noir is an extremely suitable dietary option. The MacMurray Pinot Noir calories count up to 24 calories per 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to a total of 120 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0g fats, 1g sodium, 0g total carbohydrates, 0g protein, and 0g total sugars. As a consequence, MacMurray Pinot Noir is recommended for everyday wine enjoyment. In fact, it is great for low-carb diets. Plus, for those interested in MacMurray Pinot Noir alcohol content, it sits at 14,3% per 750ml bottle, a higher alcoholic concentration than the usual Californian Pinot Noirs. So, if you have a couple of MacMurray glasses, don’t take the risk behind the wheel! Let someone else do the driving for you.
Conclusion
MacMurray is a premium Pinot Noir from California State that not only promises but delivers in every way. It is thrilling, revolutionary even, and proudly showcases its warm American personality in every drop, sniff, and sip. As aromas of lavender, cherry, and boysenberry draw wine enthusiasts in, flavors of red fruits mixed with chocolate, smoke, and tobacco dominate the mouth. Soil also unearths, while silky tannins and a controlled but refreshing acidity add balance and roundness to the palate. In closing, MacMurray is a treat of a wine. And it might command a premium price, but you get what you pay for. In this case, what you get is a perfectly balanced Pinot Noir that has undergone a barrel aging, celebrating the most charming aspects of its popular varietal.
