Murphy Goode California Merlot 2021

Back in 1985, good friends, Tim Murphy, Dale Goode, and Dave Ready, were deep in their weekly game of liar’s dice when an idea was formulated. On that particularly lively night, the trio decided to make their love of wine official. They pooled their collective talents together and established Murphy-Goode, a serious winery built around a common concept: don’t take life so seriously.

The three friends began their winemaking adventure by creating Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay from the Murphy Ranch and Murphy-Goode Vineyard in Sonoma County. Both Tim Murphy and Dale Goode were the growers of the team. They helped to pioneer Alexander Valley by bringing wire trellising, broad scale drip irrigation, and leaf pulling to the area. Tim Murphy is also considered the father of Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc. Dave Ready was the marketer of the trio – bringing a fun personality to the winery, which it is still known for today.

Winemaker Dave Ready Jr. is the embodiment of the M. G. philosophy. And yes, he is the son of one of the 3 founders! Dave’s sense of humor is as enjoyable as his wines. He is a master of balance–evaluating and integrating each barrel to create a blend that is better than the sum of its parts. He has a knack for smoothing out the edges of each batch to ensure consistent, yet complex wines. 

This is no wimpy Merlot. Making this wine to please even the finickiest of Cab drinkers, look for aromas and flavors of black cherry, blueberry, and blackberry all tied together with just a kiss of toasty vanilla. This would pair wonderfully with a charbroiled filet and just as nicely with a burger hot off the grill.  Made of 100% Merlot, aged in 10% new French and American oak barrels.