Dec 30, 2022
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Mayro-Murdick Wines
| Owner(s) | Mike Cox, Tina Cox |
| Web site | www.mayromurdick.com |
| Link to this site |
Michael Cox has been in the wine business for twenty hears, the last twelve of which as winemaker at Schug Winery in Carneros. He is a University of California at Davis graduate in enology and viticulture with success in working with multiple varietals, but his professed passion is Pinot Noir. His wife, Tina, is a wine veteran, as well, having worked in marketing at Robert Mondavi. Together, they started Mayro-Murdick Wines. The name Mayro-Murdick comes from the distinctive first names of their paternal grandfathers.
Michael and Tina realized back in 2002 that many wine drinkers needed a go-to decent Pinot Noir that was affordable enough to serve as a can be found for $15 or less. Michael found a 35-year-old vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands planted to a gamay clone of Pinot Noir on its own roots and crafts a wine using microoxygenization labeled Hunterdon (see Hunterdon). The inspiration for Hunterdon comes from the crus of southern Burgundy, where producers age their wines in large casks which naturally introduces miniscule amounts of oxygen into the casks to soften and mature the wine. This controlled introduction of oxygen is known as "micro-oxidation". We believe this winemaking technique allows the true varietal character of Pinot Noir--stunning cherry fruit--to shine while maintaining a touch of the earthiness that Pinot fans love.
A second Pinot Noir bottled under the Mayro-Murdick label, is a more serious wine vinified in a more traditional manner. Sourced primarily from Iund Vineyard in Carneros, it is priced significantly more but delivers more layered complexity and interest. Both wines are sold on the website.
Articles About Mayro-Murdick Wines
Reviewed Wines
2005 Mayro-Murdick Carneros Pinot Noir
A top scoring Pinot Noir in a
San Francisco Chronicle tasting. I featured this small producer in the PinotFile in the
past, and all of the Pinot Noirs under this label are recommended. The winemaker,
Michael Cox, is also the winemaker at Schug in Carneros.
·
Plenty of elegant pinotosity
here with plum, wild berry and earthy flavors and admirable balance.
Reviewed March 23, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Hunterdon Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 2756 cases,
$15. The name comes from Hunterdon County, New Jersey, where the Cox
family traces their roots to 1695.
·
The aromatics feature ripe strawberries, cherries,
lavender and hay. The strawberry theme dominates the flavor profile. Very
easy to drink, this wine is elegant in style and finishes clean with ample acidity. A
thoroughly enjoyable wine that I like to call “Strawberry Fields Forever.” This is
a step above the many ordinary commercial wines at this price point.
Reviewed April 9, 2007
ARTICLE »
2005 Mayro-Murdick Carneros Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 662 cases, $36. A blend of 80% Iund Vineyard
and 20% Sangiacomo Tailgrass Vineyard.
·
Dark strawberry red in color. A deep
aromatic profile of black cherries and fresh sawn oak. The heart of the wine is cherries
with an adept touch of oak and toast running through. Smooth, simple, and easy to drink.
Reviewed May 7, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Mayro-Murdick Estate Carneros Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 662 cases, $36. This
wine is crafted by Michael Cox who is also the winemaker at Schug Winery in
Carneros. A blend of 80% Iund Vineyard (30 year-old vines) and 20% Sangiacomo
Tailgrass Vineyard (15 year-old vines). Aged 15 months in 34% in new French oak.
·
Strawberry red in color. Pleasing aromas of black cherries, berries and grass. Demure
flavors of cherries, cranberries and a touch of toasty oak all in harmony with admirable
grip on the vibrant finish.
Reviewed April 18, 2009
ARTICLE »
2003 Mayro-Murdick Carneros Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 484 cases, $35.
·
This
wine is a cherry serenade. Ripe cherries, strawberries and toast on the sensuous
nose and herb-tinged cherries in the mouth. Nicely composed and perfectly fine,
this is a nice gift from Carneros.
Reviewed April 9, 2007
ARTICLE »
2005 Mayro-Murdick Carneros Pinot Noir
A top scoring Pinot Noir in a San Francisco Chronicle tasting. I featured this small producer in the PinotFile in the past, and all of the Pinot Noirs under this label are recommended. The winemaker, Michael Cox, is also the winemaker at Schug in Carneros. · Plenty of elegant pinotosity here with plum, wild berry and earthy flavors and admirable balance. Reviewed March 23, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Hunterdon Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 2756 cases, $15. The name comes from Hunterdon County, New Jersey, where the Cox family traces their roots to 1695. · The aromatics feature ripe strawberries, cherries, lavender and hay. The strawberry theme dominates the flavor profile. Very easy to drink, this wine is elegant in style and finishes clean with ample acidity. A thoroughly enjoyable wine that I like to call “Strawberry Fields Forever.” This is a step above the many ordinary commercial wines at this price point. Reviewed April 9, 2007 ARTICLE »
2005 Mayro-Murdick Carneros Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 662 cases, $36. A blend of 80% Iund Vineyard and 20% Sangiacomo Tailgrass Vineyard. · Dark strawberry red in color. A deep aromatic profile of black cherries and fresh sawn oak. The heart of the wine is cherries with an adept touch of oak and toast running through. Smooth, simple, and easy to drink. Reviewed May 7, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Mayro-Murdick Estate Carneros Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 662 cases, $36. This wine is crafted by Michael Cox who is also the winemaker at Schug Winery in Carneros. A blend of 80% Iund Vineyard (30 year-old vines) and 20% Sangiacomo Tailgrass Vineyard (15 year-old vines). Aged 15 months in 34% in new French oak. · Strawberry red in color. Pleasing aromas of black cherries, berries and grass. Demure flavors of cherries, cranberries and a touch of toasty oak all in harmony with admirable grip on the vibrant finish. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »
2003 Mayro-Murdick Carneros Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 484 cases, $35. · This wine is a cherry serenade. Ripe cherries, strawberries and toast on the sensuous nose and herb-tinged cherries in the mouth. Nicely composed and perfectly fine, this is a nice gift from Carneros. Reviewed April 9, 2007 ARTICLE »