32nd Annual Best of The Best:
Pinot Noirs
QRW Tasting Team
Marimar and daughter Cristina in the Marimar Estates vineyards
It’s California Pinots like these that have Burgundy looking over its shoulder.
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Five-Star Wines ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
Wines of extraordinary character and quality —
in a class by themselves.
2012 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir “Georganne” (Russian River Valley), $57. Big, deep, rich, authoritative, black fruit and nutmeg
flavors. BEST OF SHOW
2010 Marimar Estate Don Miguel Vineyard Pinot Noir “Cristina” (Russian River Valley), $57. Big, rich, meaty, black cherry flavors; deep, long, resonant finish.
2012 WALT Pinot Noir “Gap’s Crown Vineyard” (Sonoma County), $65. Rich, plush, utterly entrancing, blackberry and spicy oak flavors.
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Four-Star Wines ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
Wines of outstanding character and quality —
examplars of their species.
2011 Ca’ Momi Pinot Noir “Reserve” (Napa Valley), $50. Plump, silky, deliciously round, raspberry, nutmeg and spicy vanillin flavors.
2011 Marimar Estate Don Miguel Vineyard Pinot Noir “La Masía” (Russian River Valley), $44. Fresh, assertive, well-knit, ripe cherry and smoky oak flavors.
2012 WALT Pinot Noir “Blue Jay” (Anderson Valley), $40. Elegantly spun, black cherry, nutmeg and vanillin flavors.
2012 WALT Pinot Noir “The Corners” (Anderson Valley), $65. Soft, supple, well-balanced, black fruit and nutty oak flavor.
2012 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir “Burt Williams Morning Dew Ranch” (Anderson Valley), $78. Ripe, toasty, solidly structured, raspberry and toasty oak flavors.
2012 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir “Ferrington Vineyard” (Anderson Valley), $65. Plush, round, elegant, deliciously long, black fruit and nutty oak flavors.
2012 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir “Terra di Promissio Vineyard” (Sonoma County), $55. Well-structured and nicely focused black cherry and toasty oak flavors.
Related articles:
• 30th Annual Best of The Best: California Pinot Noir
• 29th Annual Best of The Best: California Chardonnay
• 29th Annual Best of The Best: Champagne Tasting
• 29th Annual Best of The Best: California Pinot Noir
• 29th Annual Best of The Best: California Zinfandel
