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
Aromas of wild berries, black fig and ripe dark fruits are intertwined with hints of fresh mountain herbs, mineral, leather, savory spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the rich fruit flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, red currants and cassis are layered with notes of wild sage, dark chocolate truffle, cinnamon, clove, and a kiss of oak.
94 Points
Opens up with an aromatic burst of black cherry jam, wild huckleberry, and a hint of crushed espresso bean. On the palate, the fruit is lush and primary, but it's the secondary notes—toasted nutmeg, dark chocolate truffle, and the signature 'Dry Creek Dust'—that provide a long, savory finish.
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