Marimar Estate Cristina Pinot Noir
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Cristina Pinot Noir is grown in the Russian River Valley on the Don Miguel Vineyard. The Don Miguel Vineyard is named after the late patriarch of the Torres family.
- This is a seductive and classic bottling that encompasses everything a great Pinot Noir should be: rich, concentrated fruit on the nose reminiscent of red fruits like raspberries and cherries.
- Named after the daughter of founder Marimar Torres, Cristina is a barrel selection from a unique blend of Pinot Noir clones that best represent the terroir, personality, of the Don Miguel Vineyard and show the most potential for aging.”
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir. A combination of Swan, Pommard, and Dijon clones.
Elaboration: After fermenting with indigenous yeast, the wine was aged for 18 months in 50% new and 50% 1- and 2-year old French barrels, coopered by Remond from the forest of Bertranges. It was bottled, unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes: Classic Pinot Noir nose, complex and elegant, reminiscent of ripe red fruits like blackberries and plums. On the palate it is soft, varietal and very long, with notes of sage and lavender contributed by the seamlessly integrated premium oak. Its excellent structure augurs a long life — at least another 20 years, probably more.
PRESS
2018 – 91 Wine Spectator | 93 Jeb Dunnuck
2019 – 94 James Suckling | 91 Wine Spectator
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Marimar Torres came to live in California in 1975. After two years of searching, she acquired the Marimar Estate land and began planting the vineyard in 1986. Today, there are 30 acres planted in vine.
The Estate is nestled in the rolling hills of western Sonoma County, the Russian River/Green Valley appellation is a perfect microclimate for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Only 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 50 miles north of San Francisco, the site is influenced by the sea’s cooling breezes and drifting fog. That is why Marimar Torres selected this privileged location to “export” the Torres family legacy of fine wines to California.
The wines are made entirely from estate-grown grapes. Named in honor of the late patriarch of the family, the vineyard is unique in California because it is totally European in style.