Murphy Goode Alexander Valley Merlot - $19.99

Wine Details

Price: $19.99
Producer: Murphy Goode Estate Winery
Region: Alexander Valley
Varietal: Merlot
Container Size: 750 ML
Flavors: bitter, black cherry, herbal, oregano, toast
  • Red Wine
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Product Description

  • Not your average wimpy Merlot. We sourced our grapes from rugged bench and hillside vineyards, where our vines toil in rocky soils to produce a wine of blackberry, bay leaf qand thyme flavors and soft, abundant tannins.

Expert Ratings

Ratings   Vintage Source Flavors
WineSpectator - 81 Details: Black cherry, oregano and charry toast flavors finish on a bitter herbal note with thick tannins. Drink now. 17,000 cases made. 2003 WineSpectator bitter, black cherry, herbal, oregano, toast
WineSpectator - 85 Details: Solidly built, with spicy black cherry, dried herbs and licorice fruit. Shows okay depth and finishes with firm tannins. Drink now through 2007. 16,500 cases made. – 2002 WineSpectator black cherry, herbs, licorice, spicy
WineEnthusiast - 89 Details: From a winery that’s made a real mark with Merlot, a fine effort, with its blackberry and black cherry flavors mingled with dry, sweet herbs and Indian pudding. It’s drinkable now, with a firm grip of dusty tannins. 2002 WineEnthusiast black cherry, blackberry, herbs
CGCW - 89 Details: If Merlot's first job is to be fruity and friendly, then this plump, genuinely juicy and thoroughly likeable wine has done its duty quite well. It seasons its full dose of well-ripened cherries with accents of caramel, cocoa and cream, and its suppleness comes with nary a hint of softness. It will serve well for several years. 2002 CGCW caramel, cherries
WineSpectator - 83 Details: Dominated by cedar, vanilla and coconut character from toasty oak, with modest tannin framing currant, green tea and herbal notes. Drink now through 2004. 13,500 cases made. – 2001 WineSpectator cedar, coconut, currant, herbal, tea, toasty oak, vanilla
WineEnthusiast - 88 Details: Defines its appellation with soft, lusciously sweet tannins, a gentle mouthfeel and well-ripened cherry and blackberry fruit. As drinkable as it is, it’s also a complex wine, with many different nuances. If only it had a bit more concentration. 2001 WineEnthusiast blackberry, cherry
WineSpectator - 86 Details: Simple and smooth, with generous cassis, blackberry and vanilla notes, and a spicy finish. Drink now through 2006. 16,200 cases made. – 2000 WineSpectator blackberry, cassis, spicy, vanilla
WineEnthusiast - 90 Details: Plum and black cherry flavors and marvelously rich tannins. Notable for its balance in the mouth. Drink it young to capture its vibrancy and juicy zest. 2000 WineEnthusiast black cherry, plum
WineSpectator - 88 Details: Wonderful, ripe, rich black cherry, cola, herb and sarsaparilla flavors that are concentrated, with firm, well integrated tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2006. 12,800 cases made. –JL 1999 WineSpectator black cherry, cola, herb
WineEnthusiast - 89 Details: Bright and fruity, with pretty cherry and raspberry notes. There’s also a certain leafy complexity, with hints of smoke and coffee on the finish. Good wine. Good price. 1999 WineEnthusiast cherry, coffee, raspberry, smoke
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Food Pairings

Category Pairing
Red Meat Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison, Casseroles / Hot Dish
Pasta & Grains Lasagna
Poultry & Eggs Roast Chicken with Herbs
Vegetables Beans, White, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Tomato
Sauces Red Wine Sauce

Wine Terms

Name Value
Merlot (mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.
Sonoma Like its neighbor Napa, Sonoma is a small area filled with independent wineries and characterized by microclimates that vary according to the topography. The coolest parts of Sonoma are the fog-filled south, where the grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Northwards up the valley the climate warms and provides a good base for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. In general Sonoma wines are less dramatically flavorful than those of Napa. Cabernet Sauvignon is relatively soft, with blackcurrant fruit, minty and eucalyptus perfume, and some soft buttery oak. Zinfandel ranges from soft and gulpable to massive bramble and pepper styles. Chardonnay is rich and juicy, especially from the Russian River, and Sauvignon Blanc can be zingy and grassy. Most Sonoma wines have a freshness and a soft edge which makes them very suitable for drinking on their own, however they partner well with strongly flavored fish and meat dishes. The old-style Zinfandels are delicious with spicy cuisine.
United States Wineries exist in all fifty states, but the most predominant (and best) wine comes from Northern California, Oregon, and Washington State, with New York gaining a foothold in the industry. American wines make up about 75% of all wine sales in the US. The appellation system uses the term AVA (American Viticultural Area) to determine where wines were produced, but grape varieties can be planted anywhere in the country. American wineries generally use varietal labeling, and government regulations require that the variety on the label must make up at least 75% of the blend (in Oregon it’s 90%). The words reserve, special selection, private reserve, classic, and so on have no legal definition in the US. Some wineries use these terms to indicate their better wines; others use the words as a marketing tool to move lower quality wines off the shelf.
California California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Tasting Notes

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