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 Vintage2013 Label 1 of 29 
TypeRed
ProducerMacMurray Ranch (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
Vineyardn/a
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionCentral Coast
AppellationCentral Coast
OptionsShow variety and appellation
UPC Code(s)085000015261

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2015 and 2018 (based on 6 user opinions)

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 85.9 pts. and median of 86 pts. in 37 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by Red Don on 7/24/2017 & rated 85 points: Served slightly-chilled (17c/62f, 14.8% abv) perhaps a little too chilled, with Coq au Vin.

Ruby Red in the glass. Cherries, & Blackberry on the nose, palate of light red fruit. Light-bodied, Not too tannic. Good with lighter dishes like chicken. Medium finish. Slight metallic finish at end. Well-crafted but unexceptional Pinot Noir from CA Central Coast. I think there are some better Pinot Noirs, (albeit a little more expensive) from CA Sta Rita Hills or Oregon's Willamette Valley. (1772 views)
 Tasted by BBinSC on 12/18/2016 & rated 85 points: This wine is drinkable and not unpleasant, but it's not particularly interesting or showing a lot of varietal character. Bought at Costco for $10.99, there are better PN at Trader Joe's under $10. (2190 views)
 Tasted by bobadopolis on 9/23/2016 & rated 89 points: Loved it. Great everyday pinot. (2450 views)
 Tasted by isaacjamesbaker on 8/21/2016: Mill Pond Family Reunion: This bottle tasted a bit more jammy than the other I remember, but still a decent Pinot in this price range (which is rare). My aunt had found this on clearance for $9, so that is the rare sub-$10 Pinot that is worthy of consuming. (2702 views)
 Tasted by Sthel on 8/13/2016 & rated 80 points: In the beginning, aromas of cherry and promegranete, spices, vanilla and oak. Medium body and short final. After dinner, I've tried to drink a bit more but it was impossible cause the Wine is a little bit sweet and I got nauseous more and more at each gulp. I stopped at the third gulp. (2394 views)
 Tasted by 3daywinereview.com on 4/16/2016 & rated 85 points: Jam comes to mind with some heat. For sure some Syrah added to the mix. Compared to the 2011 Evening Land Spanish Springs it was not much of a contest. (1324 views)
 Tasted by edog77 on 4/16/2016 & rated 88 points: Hedonistic cali pinot. Enjoy. (1655 views)
 Tasted by Fabrini on 3/28/2016 & rated 76 points: Oaky and hot. Not very good. (1167 views)
 Tasted by Jimbo0208 on 3/18/2016 & rated 86 points: Nothing special but very drinkable. (997 views)
 Tasted by isaacjamesbaker on 2/17/2016: Similar notes to 11/15. A fun, juicy Pinot that does well in this price range (SRP: $23). (1152 views)
 Tasted by fewltu on 1/10/2016 & rated 90 points: Palace Cafe (874 views)
 Tasted by jbehrendt on 12/29/2015 & rated 88 points: One of our "go to" weekday Pinot Noirs. While not a full-bodied and complex as really good Pinots, still tastes like a Pinot and is enjoyable,. (992 views)
 Tasted by snarfglk on 12/3/2015 & rated 88 points: Much improved over the previous bottle; actually tasted like PN. (969 views)
 Tasted by Red Don on 11/19/2015 & rated 85 points: California Central Coast wine sourced from the Olson Ranch Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands. Served at room temperature with Greek appetizers and entrees. Ruby red in the glass, wine is light-bodied with Cherry and Pomegranate on the nose. Nice, smooth, well balanced Pinot Noir. (379 views)
 Tasted by snarfglk on 11/13/2015 & rated 86 points: Nothing special, sort of flat with muted fruit. (891 views)
 Tasted by isaacjamesbaker on 11/9/2015 & rated 86 points: California Pinot Noir (Mostly Sonoma) Single-Blind: Light ruby color. Nose of bright red cherries, wild strawberries, raspberry jam, subtle tobacco, rose petals and tilled soil as well. Juicy and full on the palate, full of red berries, cherries and raspberry jam. Some dusty tannic structure, medium acid. An interesting mix of bay leaf, caramel and rhubarb pie. A bit simple perhaps, but put together well and very pleasant. Almost all the fruit comes from Olson Ranch in Santa Lucia Highlands. (1415 views)
 Tasted by MarkWhite on 10/1/2015 & rated 85 points: Relatively easy drinking modern pinot. Nice nose with loads of cherry that carries through to the taste which is a little fruit forward but not overpowering. Not much of a finish, fine acidity but not much in the tannin department. Nothing to offend and nothing to go out of ones way to acquire. (961 views)
 Tasted by spalef on 9/11/2015 & rated 85 points: Nice nose, velvety mouthfeel, cherry, oak, pepper, easy drinking. (916 views)
 Tasted by Jayarr on 9/4/2015 & rated 88 points: Yes, easy is the word. Nothing there to offend. Non-existent tannins, cherry but not overpowering, well balanced. Not much of a finish. If you want a safe wine to pop, pour and not worry about, this is it. (967 views)
 Tasted by sailincarib on 8/17/2015 & rated 77 points: Thin, not much body. Pretty dull (955 views)
 Tasted by Glenn92 on 4/1/2015 & rated 89 points: Easy pinot - Russian River
Earth tones - cigar box, low acidity quick easy finish
Hints of smoke in the aftertaste (1013 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

MacMurray Ranch

Producer website

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

California

2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson

Central Coast

http://www.ccwinegrowers.org/links.html

http://www.discovercaliforniawines.com/regional-wine-organizations/

http://beveragetradenetwork.com/en/btn-academy/list-of-winegrowers-association-in-central-coast-california-274.htm

Central Coast AVA Wikipedia

 
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