MacMurray Ranch, Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast), 2002

From the bottle, this Pinot Noir is produced from grapes grown along the Sonoma coast of California (a popular place for Pinot these days). It is 13.9% alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Epicurean

What did I pair it with: Garlic parmesan tilapia

Appearance: Opaque, light reddish brown, with the legs of a near 14% alcohol wine.

Smell: Strawberry rhubarb pie with a cup of coffee

Palate Entry: Whisperingly light at first, like eating strawberries with the tip of one’s tongue.
Mid Palate: Sour cherries and a darker acidity pull in the tongue to a semi-pucker
Finish: The zing of the acidity remains a full 10 seconds after sipping, though the taste of the cherry zing leaves far before that.

Price: $16.00
Quality rating: 88/100
Value rating: 47.13/60

Takeaway: This is the first California pinot I’ve had in a while that actually tasted like one. It was delicate, light, and for the alcohol content, very well balanced. A better transition from palate entry to finish would have probably pushed the wine into the 90s; I look forward to trying some future vintages, so long as “Sideways” hasn’t pushed up the price too much. If you like pinots that taste like pinots, you won’t be disappointed; if you like bigger pinots, have a Syrah.