Marmesa Cabrillo Peak Pinot Noir 2007, Santa Lucia Highlands, California (£15.55/£7.20 Bibendum – sale price valid until Aug 1st 2011)
I like the savoury/meaty warmth here and the lush plummy flesh with touches of tomato and toasty oak, but it’s let down by a slightly baked, overripe raisinny edge and alack of freshness. B
Marimar Torres Doña Margarita Vineyard Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir 2006, Sonoma Coast, California (RRP £39.99 but not currently in the UK)
Also plush and warm, but the fruit stays on the right side of overripeness here. There’s plenty of earthy dark berry and plum/damson flavour, with exotic spices, toasty oak and a velvety allure as well, full figured but still tasty. S(-)
Marimar Torres Don Miguel Vineyard La Masia Pinot Noir 2006, Russian River Valley, California (£25.99 – Slurp.co.uk, Vintagemarque.co.uk)
A finer, fresher style than the Mas Cavalls, still with the exotic, seductive characters, but with more bounce and vibrancy to the red berry and plum flavours. Excellent velvety finish too. S(+)