Marimar Estate, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2008

 If you have ever visited the website of Marimar Estate (or the winery itself, for that matter), Chico is probably a familiar name to you — one of the two beloved “vineyard dogs.”  This wine is a selection of six barrels from the vineyard named after owner Marimar Torres’ mother. This is a concentrated, stylish Pinot Noir but not a huge one. Its aroma and flavor expresses fully ripe fruit, specifically black cherry and blackberry, with earth and fresh-herb nuances.  The wine is dry, racy with acidity and edgy with tannin — all in compelling contrast to the ripe fruit. The finish is impressive for its length and concentration of fruit. This wine should age nicely for five to eight years.