Marietta Cellars - 'Christo' - Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Viognier 2018

Marietta Cellars - 'Christo' - Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Viognier 2018

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Description

Christo (as his Great-Aunt Marietta called him) is crafted in honour of my father. This California-grown Rhône varietal blend is focused and piquant with a smack of black pepper, lifted by the scent of dried roses. It surges with ripe Rainier cherries, a touch of dark chocolate, and a depth of black tea and licorice, delivering both power and balance with a seemingly endless finish.

95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark The 2018 Christo is made up of 60% Syrah, 24% Grenache, 12% Petite Sirah and 4% Viognier. Vibrant ruby-purple in color, the nose offers pure scents of crushed red, black and blue berries, tobacco, violets, tar and smoked meats. The palate is full-bodied and packed full of perfectly ripe, juicy fruit, with a grainy frame and loads of uplift on the finish. (EB) Inner quote mark (6/2021)

94 points James Suckling

Outer quote mark Very attractive aromas of blackberry, sweet tobacco and wet earth follow through to a full body with a round, soft texture. Smoke, tar and graphite notes. Flavorful finish. 60% syrah, 24% grenache, 12% petite sirah and 4% viognier. Inner quote mark (7/2021)

 

--------THE PRODUCER--------

Marietta Cellars

Marietta Cellars is a small winery that is found in the Geyserville sub-region of California. The foundation of the winery is 'Family'. Marietta Cellars started some 50 years ago through the hard work put in by the father of the now owners: Jake and Scott Bilboro. The traditions of hard work, working alongside and making great wines that you can be proud of have been instilled in the Bilboro brothers for many years. They are a truly modern and sustainable winery that is making high quality wines at decent price points because there is one thing they cherish above hard work and respect: wine is made for drinking and enjoying.

 

--------THE GRAPE--------

Rhône Blend

Confusingly Primitivo and Zinfandel are the same grape. As for why they have such wildly different names is because it has had long histories in two main countries, and an even longer history in its historical home of Croatia where it is known as Tribidrag, without anyone knowing they were the same grape until recent DNA testing proved they were.

 

--------THE REGION--------

California

California is the United States of America's largest and most important wine region. It produces 90% of the USA's total production - with the fair majority of that being red wines. Since it is 'always sunny in California' it is the perfect region to grow red grapes that need a lot of heat to ripen up. This has lead to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and an Italian grape varietal: Primitivo (Californian's call in Zinfandel) to being the most important red grapes. Chardonnay is the leading white followed by Sauvignon Blanc.