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
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The palate unfolds with layered flavors of black cherry, raspberry cordial, vanilla bean and spice, where focused tannins envelop, leading to a rich red fruit finish with blue fruit undertones.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
94 Points
Rich and generous, with a deep purple hue. Aromas of crushed violets, ripe berries, blueberry pop-tarts, black currant, licorice, chocolate-coated espresso beans, allspice, and cedar box. Full-bodied with a plush, velvety texture.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
94 Points
Juice explodes right out of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
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