SPARKLING WINES

2008

92% Pinot Noir; 8% Chardonnay.  Straight forward themes of strawberries and cherries set this one on it very fruity Course, and while hinting fairly at yeast from time to time, it is never a wine that emphasizes autolysis.  It is,for the most part, simple and very easy t drink, but it flirts with some coarseness and its big bubbles bit just a bit.  86 points

      Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines, November 2012

2001
While critics have given their blessings to the wines, vouching for their quality, the real frenzy comes from Monroe fans…The Holders chose next…to focus on making "Blonde de Noirs" sparkling wine. The 2001 vintage is a blend of mostly pinot noir (76 percent) with chardonnay (24 percent), sourced from Russian River Valley and Mendocino vineyards.
        European Wine Academy, Wine Articles VI, Aug-Sept 2010

2004
Most bottlings created by Marilyn Wines achieve instant cult-like collectible status, so it’s no small wonder that the producers of such kitschy wines as Marilyn Merlot have dreamed up Blonde de Noirs.  While the iconic actress cum pinup adorns the label, the limited production bottling’s contents are classic, too, blended from pinor noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier.
        Wine News, March/April 2008

The 2004 Blanc de Noirs, Cuvee Three, North Coast is the latest Marilyn release.  A sparkling wine with a nose of toast and a hint of honey introduces flavors of white grapefruit, grapefruit peel and green tea which sit on the middle of the tongue and are very persistent.
        Colorado Wine News, April-June 2008

Marilyn Monroe is on a sparkling wine (since a lot of sparkling wine went into her).
        Wine Spectator, January 10, 2008

The effervescent beauty of Marilyn Monroe, who has been a source of inspiration for Marilyn Wines since its first vintage in 1985, is celebrated with the release of Blonde de Noirs 2004 — a sparkling wine that is a hand-crafted blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier from the North Coast.
“We produced less than 1,000 cases of Blonde de Noirs,” said Bob Holder, a principal of Marilyn Wines. “It is a true methode Champenoise wine, and we believe it will delight collectors as well as those — like Marilyn herself — who find a lovely glass of sparkling wine irresistible.”
        St. Helena Star, January 10, 2008

1990
Wine of Stars:  Marilyn sparkling wine, with a star-studded image of Marilyn Monroe on the label, may add a touch of Hollywood glitter to that New Year’s Eve party.  The wine…is a well-balanced sparkler, not too dry.
        New York Times, Dec. 27, 1995