Robert Parker, Jr.-The Wine Advocate:  Rated as An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. "The star of this line-up is the delicious, exotic, fruit-forward 2009 The Fumé, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc from the North Coast (primarily Lake County and Alexander Valley). It offers abundant notes of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, fig and melons in a crisp, fresh, medium-bodied, exotic, exuberant style." Feb 2011

Winery:  "The 2009 vintage was predominately fermented in stainless steel to retain the citrus and tropical fruit aromatics while the balance was barrel fermented in French and American oak to increase the mouthfeel and develop flavors of white peach and honeydew melon. We also use a clone of Sauvignon Blanc called Sauvignon Musqué to add a hint of orange blossom and tangerine and, for the first time ever, we blended in some estate Semillon. The Semillon adds wonderful floral notes and nice texture."

Wired For Wine:  What's that sound??!  It's opportunity banging, not knocking, on your door winelovers.  Drop everything and get in on this phenomenal value which is the Murphy-Goode The Fumé Sauvignon Blanc.  The word which comes to mind is hoard.  Get several bottles into the fridge and then break open the first one with a large platter of cornmeal fried oysters.  The gorgeous crispness of this Murphy-Goode will be spectacular opposite the decadent crunch of these beautifully seasoned oysters.  This California white is great as a stand-alone aperitif too, so don't sweat the food if you don't feel like it.  For the entree, the lovely fruit and floral notes, crisp acidity, and rich texture of this Fumé make it a natural with chicken, fish and seafood, as well as salads, herbs and tomatoes.  For a sinfully delicious option, we suggest lobster pot pie.  It will highlight the ideal acidity of this California white.  Grilled salmon with orange-fennel salsa is a great choice for bringing out the citrus in this Sauvignon Blanc.  And if comfort food is what you're craving, roast a chicken and serve it with a mustard-thyme sauce with a green salad with olives on the side.  A lemon vinaigrette is what you will need for that salad.  Don't plan saying goodbye anytime soon.  Your diners will be firmly rooted in their seats at this point.  Put out a French Valencay goat cheese and fill their glasses again.  The Valencay's mild, lemony, and altogether clean flavor is perfect for this ultimately chuggable The Fumé.  This is about as Goode as it gets winelovers!!

Bottle:  750ml, screw cap
Varietal:  94% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Semillon
Alcohol:  13.8%
Ageing: 55% French and 45% American, 40% New
Region:   North Coast, California