MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir Central Coast 2013: Ruby color, translucent; plum, violets on delicate nose; layers of ripe, juicy raspberry, cherry, hints of toasty oak and vanilla on the palate;
silky tannin and mouthfeel, nice acidity (3.61 pH), good balance. The 2013 Central Coast (Olson Ranch Vineyard) was outstanding, and this wine reflects the evenness of the climate and dry conditions as harvest neared, encouraging ripeness. MacMurray Estate enjoys a great multi-family, multi-generational backstory. It began as the Porter family farm in the 1850s. Actor Fred MacMurray (My Three Sons) purchased the property in 1941 and raised black angus cattle. The Gallo Family purchased the ranch and planted vines in the mid-1990s, but MacMurray’s daughter, Kate, remains a part of its operation as chief spokesperson and activist in Sonoma County causes and organizations; MacMurray Ranch is the site of the annual Taste of Sonoma all-star event over Labor Day weekend. Now expanded beyond the original 1,500 acres, MacMurray focuses on pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris. This is an easily approachable wine, food friendly, pocketbook friendly (for a quality pinot), and has wide distribution (the Gallo effect)—so, no excuses find some to enjoy. $19-23
MacMurray Estate website
Second photo: Fred MacMurray
