2007 Murphy Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

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.

Tasting Notes  PDF

About The Winery...

Murphy Vineyards is dedicated to bringing balanced, high quality, premium wines that are food-friendly and worthy of cellaring. But premium doesn’t mean triple-digit prices for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Peter Murphy founded Murphy Vineyards in 1995 after managing vineyards in the Napa Valley for 20 years. His first vintage was made with a select lot of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Mount Veeder region. The result was two barrels of soft, luscious single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet. There was no turning back for Peter.

Kevin Murphy joined Murphy Vineyards in 2006, but his earliest memories involve farming and winemaking. Kevin helps his father tend the vineyards and select the final blends for the wines. He also manages the business side of the winery.

With the addition of Kevin Murphy, the two have worked together to mold and create the style of Murphy Vineyards. With production larger than the first vintage and now producing more than one varietal, they are able to match their growing talents to the highest form of the winemakers art: Blending. In each bottle you will find complex aromas, solid structure with a long smooth finish. Truly easy drinking wine.

Learn more at www.murphyvineyards.com

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