Dec 30, 2022
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MacMurray Ranch
| Owner(s) | E. & J. Gallo |
| Web site | www.macmurrayranch.com |
| Link to this site |
This MacMurray-Gallo link might sound like an odd couple, but it really isn't. Film and TV star Fred MacMurray enjoyed the ranch as a getaway and working farm, and when his family put it up for sale in 1996 after his death, they followed his orders to sell it to a "family" who would promise to keep the land in agriculture and his fence line intact. Gallo honored his wishes and now his daughter, Kate MacMurray, a former screenwriter, is spokesperson for the winery. Gallo planted vines and the winery was born in 2000.
MacMurray Ranch Winery is smack in the middle of Sonoma County's cool-climate Russian River Valley, with wine neighbors such as Rochioli and Gary Farrell. The mantra from Gino Gallo has been to make great MacMurray Pinot Noir. She personally chose Susan Doyle, who grew up on a beef and apple farm in Tasmania, as the winemaker. After training, she made Pinot Noir in Australia and consulted in the United States.
MacMurray Ranch farms 1,100 acres and produces 128,960 cases annually. 80% of the fruit comes from estate vineyards.
Three appellation blend Pinot Noirs are produced: Central Coast, Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley. They are reasonably priced and widely available. The Russian River Valley Pinot Gris is recommended.
Articles About MacMurray Ranch
California Recession-Busting Pinots (7.6 11/17/2008)
Grocery Store Pinot (9.16 12/10/2012)
MacMurray Ranch: Pinot Noir with a History (7.17 5/7/2009)
More Sips of California Pinot Noir (8.30 1/27/2011)
More Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (9.49 10/20/2014)
On The Pinot Trail: Pigs & Pinot (8.13 4/8/2010)
Pinot Briefs (9.50 11/21/2014)
Pinot Briefs (10.49 2/26/2017)
Pinots from the Edge (6.57 4/7/2008)
Playing the Pinot Lottery at Trader Joe’s (8.31 2/8/2011)
Reach for the Middle for Pinot Noir (8.26 11/24/2010)
Sips of Recently Tasted Wines (10.50 3/8/2017)
Small Sips of Sonoma Coast (6.63 8/4/2008)
Tasting Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class & Double Gold Pinot Noirs (10.1 12/11/2014)
Value-Price Pinots (9.18 1/19/2013)
Reviewed Wines
2014 MacMurray Estate Vineyards Central Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.60, $18.56.
Primarily sourced from Olson Ranch Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Clones 777, 2A, 459,
667 and 23. Aged in 40% used French oak barrels and 60% in stainless steel. Best of Class at the
2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass.
Pleasant nose offering streaming aromas of dark fruits and hints of vanilla and dark chocolate.
Modest in weight, featuring a charge of blackberry and blackberry flavors with a bit of black cherry
and spice as well as oak chiming in. Rather typical of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, with ample
mid palate presence, a pleasant mouthfeel, and some finishing length. This wine is in wide distribution and is a
good value.
Score: 88.
Reviewed March 6, 2017
ARTICLE »
2012 MacMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $11.39.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the
glass. The aromas and flavors of dark cherry, plum and black raspberry are framed by anise-laced oak. The
tannins are modest, the mouthfeel is silky, and the finish is juicy, albeit a bit shallow and a noticeable tug of
oak. A satisfactory rather than special wine for everyday consumption.
Score: 87.
Reviewed October 21, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 MacMurray Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $28 ($20 at some retailers).
·
Moderately dark ruby hue in the glass. The rather shy and dull nose offers hints of cherry and oak. A gentle,
shallow wine that is pleasant but not exciting, featuring a discreet weighted core of cherry fruit with a touch of
floral and oak accents and well-endowed backing tannins.
Score: 86.
Reviewed December 11, 2014
ARTICLE »
2010 MacMurray Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $20.99.
·
Medium reddish-purple color
in the glass. Very dull nose, with no fruit making a house call even after 45 minutes in the glass. Light weight
flavors of cherries and strawberries with a hint of herbs backed by ripe tannins and complimentary acidity.
Unchanged the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Awfully plain. Decent.
Reviewed January 19, 2013
ARTICLE »
2008 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $17.69.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass.
Initially the nose offered some pleasingly spiced black cherry and strawberry aromas, but over time in the
glass, the fruit faded, unveiling primarily oak and smoke scents. Moderately rich core of fruit with a heavy
smoke affected flavor of tar and ash, which, along with the firm tannins, overwhelmed the fruit flavors.
Unsatisfactory.
Reviewed February 8, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $18.
·
Initially there are attractive scents of spiced
cherries and strawberries, but smoke emerges over time as the wine sits in the glass. Moderately rich core of
fruit heavily tainted by smoke and tar flavors. Typical of many 2008 smoke affected Pinot Noirs from the
Sonoma Coast. Unsatisfactory.
Reviewed January 27, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 MacMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $24.
Primarily sourced from Olson Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Harvested in the early morning, de-stemmed, cold soaked, fermented
with a mixture of natural and proprietary Burgundian yeasts.
·
Pretty red tinged
violet color. Shy, but appealing aromas of dark berries, wooded
forest and oak spice. Rich melange of berry fruit and a hint of oak with
gossamer tannins and bright acidity. A nice drink for the money.
Reviewed May 7, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Mac Murray Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $18.
·
The appealing aromas trump the
flavors in this wine. Nice black cherry, earth and cola scents. The dark cherry fruit is nicely presented on a
silky platform with a clean and dry finish, but a dirty oak and stemmy taste spoils the ending.
Reviewed November 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $19.
·
Smoke, tar and confected cherry aromas lead to
oak-infused dark fruits with a herbaceous edge. Soft but notable tannins. Drink with grilled meats.
Reviewed April 7, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $19.
·
An oak-infused wine with aromas and
flavors of confected black cherry, smoke and tar. A herbaceous edge is evident. Soft, but evident tannins.
I have seen this wine very favorably reviewed in the wine press but it was disappointing to me. Drink it
with grilled meat or fish.
Reviewed August 4, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $35.
Hand harvested, de-stemmed, cold soaked for 5 days, fermented with a mixture
of natural and Burgundian yeasts.
·
This is a dense fruit-driven wine which lacks
the trademark spice and cola features of many Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs.
There is plenty of dark fruit and tannin but this wine could be from anywhere.
Reviewed May 7, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Ranch Winemaker’s Block Selection Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 400 cases, $60. Clones 828 and
37 (Mt. Eden). Hand sorted and de-stemmed into open top 1 to 3.5 ton
fermenters with a target of 95% whole berries. Cold soaked for 5 to 7
days and inoculation with a mixture of natural and Burgundian yeasts.
Pressed gently using a basket press. Aged in a combination of new
and 1-year-old French oak barrels with an additional 6+ months in
bottle before release.
·
Now we’re talking. Really attractive aromas of black
cherry and cherry cola. Plush core of cherry and berry fruit with some spice,
leather and graham. Long, stylish and silky with tannins reigned in and oak
playing a subtle supportive role. Clearly more sophisticated, refined and
elegant than the other MacMurray bottlings. This wine will match up with the any of the very best Pinot Noirs
currently made in California. This Pinot was kissed by an angel.
Reviewed May 7, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Ranch Winemaker’s Block Selection Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 400 cases, $60. Clones 37 (Mt. Eden)
and Dijon mix. Winemaker Susan Doyle. A little-known and special wine
that is the best Pinot Noir in the Gallo lineup of wines. Do not confuse this
wine with the high production MacMurray Ranch appellation Pinot Noir
bottlings for it is a horse of a different color.
·
Moderately deep reddishpurple
color in the glass. Slightly confected bright and spicy Bing cherry
aromas. A charming wine with pleasing delicacy on the palate with its delicious
red cherry pie fruit flavor, tasty clove and oak spice, balancing tannins and bright
acidity. The persistent finish slips off the back of the palate. Still great two days
later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This one will make your knees go weak.
Reviewed November 24, 2010
ARTICLE »
2004 MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 40,000 cases, $13.
·
A old-world styled Pinot. The aromatics feature hi-tone cherries and more cherries with blueberries and vanilla. Flavors veer to the savory side with notes of earth, minerals, herbs and underpinnings of dark cherries and oak. The wine finishes with lively acidity and dusty tannins. Not terribly complex, but a thoroughly enjoyable wine at the dinner table.
Reviewed June 12, 2006
2014 MacMurray Estate Vineyards Central Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.60, $18.56. Primarily sourced from Olson Ranch Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Clones 777, 2A, 459, 667 and 23. Aged in 40% used French oak barrels and 60% in stainless steel. Best of Class at the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Pleasant nose offering streaming aromas of dark fruits and hints of vanilla and dark chocolate. Modest in weight, featuring a charge of blackberry and blackberry flavors with a bit of black cherry and spice as well as oak chiming in. Rather typical of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, with ample mid palate presence, a pleasant mouthfeel, and some finishing length. This wine is in wide distribution and is a good value. Score: 88. Reviewed March 6, 2017 ARTICLE »
2012 MacMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $11.39. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas and flavors of dark cherry, plum and black raspberry are framed by anise-laced oak. The tannins are modest, the mouthfeel is silky, and the finish is juicy, albeit a bit shallow and a noticeable tug of oak. A satisfactory rather than special wine for everyday consumption. Score: 87. Reviewed October 21, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 MacMurray Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $28 ($20 at some retailers). · Moderately dark ruby hue in the glass. The rather shy and dull nose offers hints of cherry and oak. A gentle, shallow wine that is pleasant but not exciting, featuring a discreet weighted core of cherry fruit with a touch of floral and oak accents and well-endowed backing tannins. Score: 86. Reviewed December 11, 2014 ARTICLE »
2010 MacMurray Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $20.99. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Very dull nose, with no fruit making a house call even after 45 minutes in the glass. Light weight flavors of cherries and strawberries with a hint of herbs backed by ripe tannins and complimentary acidity. Unchanged the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Awfully plain. Decent. Reviewed January 19, 2013 ARTICLE »
2008 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $17.69. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Initially the nose offered some pleasingly spiced black cherry and strawberry aromas, but over time in the glass, the fruit faded, unveiling primarily oak and smoke scents. Moderately rich core of fruit with a heavy smoke affected flavor of tar and ash, which, along with the firm tannins, overwhelmed the fruit flavors. Unsatisfactory. Reviewed February 8, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $18. · Initially there are attractive scents of spiced cherries and strawberries, but smoke emerges over time as the wine sits in the glass. Moderately rich core of fruit heavily tainted by smoke and tar flavors. Typical of many 2008 smoke affected Pinot Noirs from the Sonoma Coast. Unsatisfactory. Reviewed January 27, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 MacMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $24. Primarily sourced from Olson Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Harvested in the early morning, de-stemmed, cold soaked, fermented with a mixture of natural and proprietary Burgundian yeasts. · Pretty red tinged violet color. Shy, but appealing aromas of dark berries, wooded forest and oak spice. Rich melange of berry fruit and a hint of oak with gossamer tannins and bright acidity. A nice drink for the money. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Mac Murray Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $18. · The appealing aromas trump the flavors in this wine. Nice black cherry, earth and cola scents. The dark cherry fruit is nicely presented on a silky platform with a clean and dry finish, but a dirty oak and stemmy taste spoils the ending. Reviewed November 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $19. · Smoke, tar and confected cherry aromas lead to oak-infused dark fruits with a herbaceous edge. Soft but notable tannins. Drink with grilled meats. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $19. · An oak-infused wine with aromas and flavors of confected black cherry, smoke and tar. A herbaceous edge is evident. Soft, but evident tannins. I have seen this wine very favorably reviewed in the wine press but it was disappointing to me. Drink it with grilled meat or fish. Reviewed August 4, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $35. Hand harvested, de-stemmed, cold soaked for 5 days, fermented with a mixture of natural and Burgundian yeasts. · This is a dense fruit-driven wine which lacks the trademark spice and cola features of many Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs. There is plenty of dark fruit and tannin but this wine could be from anywhere. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Ranch Winemaker’s Block Selection Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 400 cases, $60. Clones 828 and 37 (Mt. Eden). Hand sorted and de-stemmed into open top 1 to 3.5 ton fermenters with a target of 95% whole berries. Cold soaked for 5 to 7 days and inoculation with a mixture of natural and Burgundian yeasts. Pressed gently using a basket press. Aged in a combination of new and 1-year-old French oak barrels with an additional 6+ months in bottle before release. · Now we’re talking. Really attractive aromas of black cherry and cherry cola. Plush core of cherry and berry fruit with some spice, leather and graham. Long, stylish and silky with tannins reigned in and oak playing a subtle supportive role. Clearly more sophisticated, refined and elegant than the other MacMurray bottlings. This wine will match up with the any of the very best Pinot Noirs currently made in California. This Pinot was kissed by an angel. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 MacMurray Ranch Winemaker’s Block Selection Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 400 cases, $60. Clones 37 (Mt. Eden) and Dijon mix. Winemaker Susan Doyle. A little-known and special wine that is the best Pinot Noir in the Gallo lineup of wines. Do not confuse this wine with the high production MacMurray Ranch appellation Pinot Noir bottlings for it is a horse of a different color. · Moderately deep reddishpurple color in the glass. Slightly confected bright and spicy Bing cherry aromas. A charming wine with pleasing delicacy on the palate with its delicious red cherry pie fruit flavor, tasty clove and oak spice, balancing tannins and bright acidity. The persistent finish slips off the back of the palate. Still great two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This one will make your knees go weak. Reviewed November 24, 2010 ARTICLE »
2004 MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 40,000 cases, $13. · A old-world styled Pinot. The aromatics feature hi-tone cherries and more cherries with blueberries and vanilla. Flavors veer to the savory side with notes of earth, minerals, herbs and underpinnings of dark cherries and oak. The wine finishes with lively acidity and dusty tannins. Not terribly complex, but a thoroughly enjoyable wine at the dinner table. Reviewed June 12, 2006