Cristina Pinot Noir 2018
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Why Cristina?
Named after my only daughter, Cristina, this wine is a barrel selection from a unique blend of our Pinot Noir clones that we feel best represent the terroir, or personality, of the Don Miguel Vineyard and show the most potential for aging.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Alcohol %
13.5
Connoisseurs' Guide
91
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
A seductive and classic bottling that encompasses everything a great Pinot Noir should be: rich, concentratred fruit on the nose renminiscent of red fruits like raspberries and cherries, complemented by the toasty spices contributed by the premium oak, reminiscent of cinnamon, clove, sassafras and vanilla. The balance, complexity and nice acidity augur a long life — at least another 15-20 years. I would recommend serving it at cellar temperature, between 58-60° F, and it will benefit from decanting.
Vineyard Notes
The Don Miguel Vineyard:
Named after the late patriarch of the Torres family, this sustainable vineyard is located in the Green Valley — the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River Valley, only ten miles from the Pacific. The European-style high density of over 2,000 vines per acre provides low yields and requires intensive labor; but the vines live longer and the grapes acquire better balance and greater concentration, as well as more elegance and finesse than with the traditional low density.
Production
The grapes were harvested September 5 to 11. After fermenting with our own indigenous yeast, the wine was aged for four months in new French barrels, coopered by Marchive and Rousseau from the forest of Bertranges. In January the blend was assembled and the wine went to 50% new barrels, where it aged until bottled, unfined and unfiltered, in April 2020.
The vineyard’s 30 acres of Pinot Noir are planted with several clones, which yield wines with complex layers of flavors. The blend of clones in this vintage is 50% Pommard, 40% Swan, and 10% Dijon 115.