I usually don't go for the overly dark, ripe Cali pinot noir, but MacMurray sorta just sucks you in. My first bottle was a 2013 (that snuck up on me toward the end of a night of wine tasting and sent me well over the edge). I avoided it for a bit but it WAS yummy, so here we are. Despite proper storage, the cork barely made it out alive! As of late 2022, it's deep garnet has developed the very slightest hint of amber below the rim. Nose gives baking spice, cooked strawberries and cassis. Palate brings a very similar experience as the nose, finishing with a lovely bitter dark cocoa. Light, but balanced tannins and acidity. This bottle really oughtta be drunk on its own (and attempted slowly - good luck). But if you must, pair it like you would any Cali cab or merlot. It's a little big for a pinot, but it's a crowd pleaser. A bit generic, but that's what you're going for when it comes to pleasing the masses. (And it's FAR better than Meiomi, so there you go).
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Deep RRV character with more black raspberry on the nose. Also showed aromas of cedar, dried herbs, and cooked red raspberry. Palate was silky and a touch hot at first, but showed a red and black fruit profile with the right touch of savory herbs, oak, and a slight hint of vanilla. Acid was med, ABV med-plus, body med. Not amazing, but quite good - especially with wild salmon and roasted sweet potatoes. Would drink again.
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Day 3: Fine on day 1 and 2 and drinking well on day 3. Decant Pinot Character unlike the Rodney Strong Russian River Valley sample prior in the week. Cranberry, earth, cherry, dust and spices. Good concentration and balanced overall. This is a solid for under $20.00. 88 points
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Deeply colored. A full, rich Pinot in the typical Gallo style … with just a hint of sweetness. Actually went quite well with our Italian dinners at Sabatino's in Newport Beach, where it was the least expensive Pinot on the wine list. All in all, a pleasant surprise.
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Deep ruby, viscous @14.5% abv. Aromas of smal red fruit, gummi bears and leaves/forest floor. Dry-off dry medium-medium(+) acidity, low-medium(-) tannin, medium(+) alochol and ditto body. Palate of red baked fruit, blackberry with distinct earthy sweetness, earth, chocolate. Good length with full-on finish of dark flavors, ripe tannin, fruit sugar and sweet alcohol heat. May not be my typical Pinot Noir but a good pour.
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Crisp, savory, and nicely balanced. Lots of freshness and concentration to earthy cherry, red currant, blackberry, tomato leaf, and spices. Closes with intensity and focus.
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Fairly typical California pinot noir with some sweetness, some cherry on the nose but with not much complexity or interest as one might have hoped from a Russian River p-n.
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11/23/2023 - StefVl wrote: flawed
oxidised
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11/1/2022 - Yellofeath Likes this wine: 89 Points
I usually don't go for the overly dark, ripe Cali pinot noir, but MacMurray sorta just sucks you in. My first bottle was a 2013 (that snuck up on me toward the end of a night of wine tasting and sent me well over the edge). I avoided it for a bit but it WAS yummy, so here we are.
Despite proper storage, the cork barely made it out alive! As of late 2022, it's deep garnet has developed the very slightest hint of amber below the rim. Nose gives baking spice, cooked strawberries and cassis. Palate brings a very similar experience as the nose, finishing with a lovely bitter dark cocoa. Light, but balanced tannins and acidity.
This bottle really oughtta be drunk on its own (and attempted slowly - good luck). But if you must, pair it like you would any Cali cab or merlot. It's a little big for a pinot, but it's a crowd pleaser. A bit generic, but that's what you're going for when it comes to pleasing the masses. (And it's FAR better than Meiomi, so there you go).
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12/17/2020 - Bozekt wrote: 89 Points
Deep RRV character with more black raspberry on the nose. Also showed aromas of cedar, dried herbs, and cooked red raspberry. Palate was silky and a touch hot at first, but showed a red and black fruit profile with the right touch of savory herbs, oak, and a slight hint of vanilla. Acid was med, ABV med-plus, body med. Not amazing, but quite good - especially with wild salmon and roasted sweet potatoes. Would drink again.
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3/14/2020 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 88 Points
Day 3: Fine on day 1 and 2 and drinking well on day 3. Decant Pinot Character unlike the Rodney Strong Russian River Valley sample prior in the week. Cranberry, earth, cherry, dust and spices. Good concentration and balanced overall. This is a solid for under $20.00. 88 points
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2/18/2020 - oakville72 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deeply colored. A full, rich Pinot in the typical Gallo style … with just a hint of sweetness. Actually went quite well with our Italian dinners at Sabatino's in Newport Beach, where it was the least expensive Pinot on the wine list. All in all, a pleasant surprise.
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2/13/2020 - Barolo Raymond wrote: 89 Points
Deep ruby, viscous @14.5% abv. Aromas of smal red fruit, gummi bears and leaves/forest floor. Dry-off dry medium-medium(+) acidity, low-medium(-) tannin, medium(+) alochol and ditto body. Palate of red baked fruit, blackberry with distinct earthy sweetness, earth, chocolate. Good length with full-on finish of dark flavors, ripe tannin, fruit sugar and sweet alcohol heat. May not be my typical Pinot Noir but a good pour.
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12/29/2019 - Baron Slick wrote: 91 Points
Crisp, savory, and nicely balanced. Lots of freshness and concentration to earthy cherry, red currant, blackberry, tomato leaf, and spices. Closes with intensity and focus.
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10/2/2019 - HazenGehue wrote:
Get more
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9/18/2019 - Riccardo Vigoli Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dark strawberries. Delicious! I'm moved. Oak.
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2/12/2019 - burlingtonm Likes this wine: 88 Points
Fairly typical California pinot noir with some sweetness, some cherry on the nose but with not much complexity or interest as one might have hoped from a Russian River p-n.
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