94 Points, Gold Medal - California State Fair, 2012
Peter Murphy has worked in pretty much every aspect of the wine industry over his 4 decades in California wine country, from the cellar to vineyard planting and management. In 1997 he decided to start his own winery, Murphy Vineyards, with a focus on small ultra-premium vineyards from Napa and the Sierra Foothills. Murphy’s flagship wine has to be their Napa cab, which vintage after vintage strikes a beautiful balance between old world finesse and new world power. The somewhat cool 2007 vintage in Napa only served to emphasize this balance, and the resulting wine easily deserves its gold medal and 94-point score at the California State Fair.
The 2007 Murphy Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby in color. Sitting typing this tasting note, with the glass a good 2 or 3 feet away, the nose is easily noticeable, with classic Cabernet aromas of black cherry, cassis, and tobacco. Closer attention reveals layers of blackberry and spice. The palate is vibrant and powerful, with black fruit and vanilla bean followed by an almost earthy, iron tinged finish. A perfect level of acidity keeps the wine fresh, with lingering blackberry and kirsch on the finish. For those who appreciate Napa Cab inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux, this one is sure to please, and for under $30, you will be hard pressed to find a Napa cab that will compete with this one.
Production Notes
The 2007 growing season started with a fairly dry winter followed by summer temperatures that ranged from mild to cool, with very few days topping 100 degrees. In the vineyard, the vines produced an above average cluster count, but the berry and cluster size were smaller which results an intensely flavored fruit harvest. The grapes were picked and crushed on October 2009. The juice was pumped over twice a day until fermentation was complete. The wine was racked to a mixture of neutral and French Oak Barrels. In June 2011 the wine was bottled with a total production of 200 cases.
95 Points
Rich and full-bodied, packed with dark fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry. Notes of cocoa, cedar, and warm spice add complexity, while firm tannins and a touch of volcanic minerality reflect the bold characteristics of Calistoga’s terroir. Full-bodied in texture, and remarkably velvety. The tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
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