MacMurray Ranch 2007 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Our first Pinot Noir review is for the MacMurray Ranch 2007 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($23.99 at the Utah Wine Store Updated price as of 11:21AM)  Available at the Utah Wine Store  and probably available at your local Utah Liquor Store.

This was paired with Stagg chili, honey bbq fritos and some wonderful brownie bites. Not exactly what you should pair with a Pinot Noir but hey it worked.

To me Pinot Noirs are usualy sweeter and have more fruit in them, this wine had a bit more zest and boldness to it.  Black cherry was predominant for me.  Also unusual for Pinot Noir, this had some mellow spicy and even some tart involved. I highly recommend this wine for those that are not big on Pinot Noirs. Give this one a try and see if your palette agrees.

Here is from the Winery itself

DESCRIPTION: This is a classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, with concentrated fruit flavors of red and black fruits. Deep black cherry notes are complimented by subtle oak to add richness and depth to the finish. This is an earthy wine with nuances of brown spice that will pair well with rack of lamb, grilled salmon and Shitake mushroom risotto.

Detailed Winemaker’s Notes WINEMAKING NOTES: The grapes were hand harvested, de-stemmed and cold soaked for approximately five days before primary fermentation began. We utilized a mix of natural and Burgundian yeasts selected to complement the terroir of the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Upon completion of primary fermentation, the wine went through malolactic fermentation and a percentage of the wine received up to 7 months of oak contact during maturation. A variety of new Burgundian oak barrels with medium to light toast levels and 1-3 year old French oak barrels were used in order to complement the delicate, elegant Pinot Noir aromas and flavors.

VITICULTURAL NOTES: The 2007 Sonoma harvest was smaller than normal, but produced excellent quality wine grapes. The low winter rainfall and mild spring affected the timing and overall size of the vintage. These climatic influences resulted in early budbreak and flowering, and also allowed the grapes to ripen evenly. The warm weather in mid-August initiated harvest and many varieties were being picked at the same time. As the tanks were filling up quickly, fog and cool weather arrived in early September and harvest slowed. The rest of harvest was characterized by sun and cooler than average temperatures which led to a long, drawn out harvest. Low humidity in the second half of harvest helped to prevent disease and allowed the growers to pick the grapes at ideal ripeness. The mild and even growing season, combined with the cooler weather toward the end of harvest, assisted the grapevines in producing small berries to deliver exceptionally concentrated fruit flavors.

TASTE PROFILE: The Russian River Valley is one of California’s most celebrated sources of world class Pinot Noir. The region is blessed with strong maritime influences, specifically, a cool climate defined by the fog that follows the river valley to blanket the vineyards. Warm days and cool nights encourage distinct varietal characters in the ripening grapes. Early winegrowers planted Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane, to make hearty, simple wines. Since the 1960’s, however, the Russian River Valley has been home to the pioneers of New World Pinot Noir.

Another blogger in wine land said this….

The wine shows lovely flavors of cherry, cranberry and brown spice. It’s got that all-important earthy quality I look for in Pinot Noir. Coming in at just under 14% ABV, it’s fairly light and elegant on the palate. Oak is used judiciously with mostly light toast so the fruit components are not overpowered by the wood. It drinks well alone, and pairs well with grilled meats and fish.