Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Marjorie Vineyard offers scents of raspberry preserves, Earl Grey tea leaves, licorice and an undertone of gravelly mineral character. The light-bodied palate is intensely flavored but delicately styled, with a silky texture and juicy acidity, finishing with ethereal perfume.

There’s purity of fruit to this pinot with strawberry and floral aromas that follow through to a medium body with ultra-fine, firm tannins and pretty, tangy acidity. Lemon undertones. Needs time to open. Better after 2024.

Initially planted in 1982, the Marjorie estate vineyard was the site that launched Cristom's focus on single-vineyard bottlings in 1994. As phylloxera began decimating the vineyard, replanting began in 2004. This is a wine that displays natural grace and will drink beautifully for more than a decade. Aromas of black tea cut strawberry, a hint of gravel dust and smoky mineral elements merge. The palate is energetic and white wild strawberries, tomato leaves, and a flourish of bright fruit. The structure is linear, pointing us to a wine that will come into its own over the next 10 years.

This wine is from the estate's oldest vines. Somehow, those old soldiers bring extra detail and definition to a full-flavored palate with a mix of lemony acidity, ripe red plum, almond candy and a lick of milk chocolate.