100% Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highlands, California.
SRP of $35 and available for as low as $25. Sample received courtesy E. & J. Gallo for review purposes.
From the bottle:
"MacMurray's passion for pursuing Pinot Noir has led our winemaker Susan Doyle to craft elegant wines from world class Pinot growing regions.
The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, which overlooks the Salinas Valley, has achieved a prominent reputation for producing distinctive Pinot Noir wines with intense fruit character. This exceptional wine is an elegant, Burgundian style Pinot Noir with flavors of cherry, briar, dried herbs and hints of cola.
14.5% Alcohol"
Pinot Noir can be one of those varieties that can be hard to find for under $20, although we did a pretty good job of it in the Hunt For The Best Pinot Noir Under $20 series just a couple months ago. Still, depending on the selection available to you at your local retailer or restaurant you may have trouble finding many good options below our limit. If you do spend a little more, this Pinot Noir from California is a very nice choice.
The 2009 MacMurray Ranch Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir begins with great aromas of blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, cola, brown sugar and spice. Wow, very nice. The wine tastes smooth with good texture and nice fruit. The flavors are similar to the bouquet with black cherry and cola and then a good kick of spice. The finish is very nice with light earthy notes that linger at the end.
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
