3/23/2024 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

The warm vintage is a bit apparent here, but a great bottle nonetheless. My prior bottle of this vintage I had a couple years ago was a bit stewed and off, but this was in a great place for aged Pinot. However, given the vintage I wouldn't hold this too long given my experience.

1/13/2024 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Fantastic, maybe better on night two. 2019s seem to just be coming around.

8/19/2022 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed this. Still very youthful but tannins are at bay. Can obviously go for a while, but this was very enoyable at this point.

5/3/2022 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Have enjoyed several vintages of this wine and also love his gamay noir. I agree with most reviewers here, amazing qpr, nothing overly complex but incredibly fresh and pure syrah, meant to be drunk on the young side. My only warning is that every vintage of this wine suffers from THP on the finish IF left to be consumed on partially on day 2. Drink these quickly!

3/19/2022 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

A library bottle purchased and delivered last fall directly from AM. Perfect cork. Drank over three nights leaving it corked on the counter. First night was high acid, second night more approachable, third night what you would expect from great OR Pinot, but still feeling primary. I suspect if your bottle was stored in great condition, this is def a hold for now, or give significant air. Happy to have a bunch of this producers PN and Chard in my cellar

2/28/2022 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

This was enjoyable over two nights, but missing the energy and cut of better vintages.

1/28/2022 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Library wine bought direct. This is currently drinking extremely well. Acidity was bracing initially, but after an hour in the glass everything was nicely balanced. Still so lively, some aged characteristics, but this could go several more years. Left half the bottle in the fridge over night and was still singing on day two. Little to no aged color to the wine. Indeed, a bit expensive as a library purchase, but I will continue to buy current vintages with confidence.

1/2/2022 - spaldingsmails wrote:

I've enjoyed his entry level Syrah for several vintages and recently bought a few of his single vineyard cuvees and wanted to check in early to get a sense of style. With air it was suprisingly open and lovely the first night. Second night there was some noticeable THP mid to finish. I've noted this on his entry level syrah when open more than one night. While I'm OK with that on for his super approachable vdp syrah (that never lasts more than a night!), it makes me a bit nervous to invest in these higher end cuvees. Could just be variation. Curious to check in on this many years down the road.

11/26/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Tightly wound but showed promise pnp first night. Night two after sitting on counter this wine exploded on the palate. Electric cherry fruit, amazing acids and body coming into balance, hints of the earthy overripe strawberries that I usually find in this vineyard. Saved a final glass to follow tomorow night, but this is clearly an excellent cool vintage maresh bottling. Excited to have a number of his '19s in the cellar.

11/16/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Followed this over three days. Very tight night one and only opened up on night three, much fuller while still keeping in the elegant house style. Always great value. Recommend giving some air.

7/3/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

First look at the 19' pinots. Followed over three days and on day three this really showed it's potential. Classic red fruited dundee fruit, on day three this really filled out, with earthy ripe strawberries, spice and balanced with plenty of acid and polished tannins. Excited to lay some of these down. Well done Marcus!

6/12/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Almost a year and a half since last bottle. This was a bit more open first night compared to last bottle. Lean, high acid, delicious. Open for business on night two. Amazing value.

5/6/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Last of my WG syrahs. Really enjoyed this style. Similar notes to previous bottles. Feels like this has the structure to age at least another 5years.

5/2/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

PnP with charcuterie and pizza. Balanced with lovely purity of fruit. Really enjoy his style. Have experienced some THP (mousey) in the previous vintage on day2, but not in this bottle. Not a style meant for aging, but enjoying pure expression. Lovely stuff.

5/2/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Decanted two hours. Agree with others that this was fairly open relative to it's age. A bit more modern/polished than I prefer. Still enjoyable with pizza

4/24/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed this over two days. This bottle had no brett imo, just a ton of funk that blew off. Fairly complex nose and palate for an entry level wine. Lovely high acid. I always wonder if some people simply equate any kind of funk/reduced notes w/brett. But every bottle is different and I'm not here to argue :)

4/18/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

First time with this producer. Not overly complex but very enjoyable for a petit chablis. Zippy acids make it quite refreshing. Summer quaffer. Nice value at <$20

3/5/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank over two nights. This has a beautiful and complex nose. The nose and palate were much more expressive on day two. Obviously no rush here. Lovely wine. Sampled this at the tasting room on release. From memory this was displaying the same complex nose I initially loved, but overall the palate was a bit one dimensional. Hopefully time will help.

2/6/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Same as previous note. Very enjoyable and held up over two nights. Drinking well but certainly no rush.

1/31/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Agree with others that this could easily go another ten years. Still hefty tannins for a bojo at this stage. Recommend holding or giving it quite a bit of air.

1/3/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Very enjoyable, although the vintage is somewhat apparent. Very surprised this is apparently just 12.5%, doesn't feel too warm, but not lighter and more uplifting as the 2016 version has been. Still, this proves that it is a qpr giant even in a warm vintage.

1/3/2021 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Was very curious about this producer and wine so took an early look. From a vineyard in Burgundy planted with a mix of PN and gamay. An enjoyable wine but tons of funky reduction over several hours open first night. Second night was cleaner. Not much gamay feel to this at all. Short finish, dusty tannins. Curious to hear what others experienced. Will let my other bottle rest.

12/24/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank from 375 with a dozen raw PNW oysters. First GC from LM, fantastic wine, insane value. Opened up nicely in the glass over an hour, imagine this is just starting to wake up. Glad to have one more and a couple of 17s from this vineyard. Love how LM only uses stainless, even in the GCs.

12/6/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank over two nights, showing better on second night. This could use a bit more time but still enjoyable now. Nice earth some funk as others have said. A bit of oak. Drank 2010 a few weeks ago which was showing so well. Not overwhelmingly complex but a great value ~$20.

10/17/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

First time drinking N. Piedmont nebbiolo. Really enjoyed this over two nights. Would suggest with food if pNp near term. Second night showed more complex fruit and earthiness. Excited to have a couple more. Went extremely well with grilled burgers and radicchio salad.

10/9/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank over two nights. Very enjoyable and filled out. Tannins have mostly receded but still present, great energy and acid. May be just now entering a nice window.

9/18/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Enjoyable. This bottle had more of the warm vintage feel than my last.

8/30/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank over two nights. Thought this showed slightly better on night two, no rush on this. Nice energy and acid, bright citrus fruit. We drank the last bottle over a year ago. Compared to the last this had a more tropical like fruit element that isn't usually present in chablis. Very enjoyable nonetheless.

8/23/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

2nd of 4 bottles. Should of bought a case, especially at <$20. Would love to try next to Thivin CdB. As others have mentioned the wine has a KO nose. My first bottle may have had slightly more energy/acidity. But this certainly has a ways to go.

6/14/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank over two nights. This bottle held up nicely over two nights. Nice earth and funk with well balanced acid and fruit. Not an overly complex wine, but a nice value at $30 I paid. Has plenty of life left in it.

6/12/2020 - spaldingsmails wrote:

Drank over two nights. I really enjoyed the '15 and '16 version of this wine. I found this bottle to lack acidity and energy of the last couple vintages. Not a total butter/diacyetyl bomb, but def rounder and lacking a nice acid balance I found in the last couple vintages.

6/7/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank over three days. Beautiful aromas and some funk but disjointed the first couple days. Came together day three with plenty of power and energy. No prior experience with this producer, but good potential and best to wait awhile.

5/3/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank over two nights. Absolutely delicious wine. Pure fruits, nice bit of funk and a bit meaty, really enjoyable. On night two I did notice a bit of THP on the very end of the finish (slight cheerio flavor after the fruit dissipates) which I've experienced this in bottle conditioned beers that usually resolves itself over time. I've never experienced this in wine before, just thought I'd make note of it. Overall really enjoyable.

4/26/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Enjoyed this over two nights. No secondary ferm issues here. Purchased via Garagiste. Lovely dark fruits, balanced acid, savoriness and nice use of whole clusters. Many years to go.

3/18/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

PnP'd and drank over a few hours allowing temp to rise. Opened up very nicely. Great qpr at <$25. Not sure holding onto these will develop much further, but accessible with tons of life right now. My third vintage of this wine from this producer, seems very consistent across vintages.

2/29/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Excellent white peach and light citrus fruit along with lovely texture. Drank chilled and allowed to warm up over dinner. There was a surprising lack of acidity and liveliness for as young as it is. Not sure if this was a slightly off bottle or maybe just a result of vintage? Fun to drink nonetheless.

2/2/2020 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Day one this was totally shut down. After a night in the fridge this really opened up, subdued oak, lean style, great acid and fruit. Excellent wine and one for the long haul. Excited to try another in a few years

11/2/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank over three nights. This needed 30mins in glass to reveal itself. First night had the classic hood strawberry/earth/cherry nose. The strawberries seemed to recede after the first night, but overall it held up well over three nights, excellent acid and classic velvity Maresh mouthfeel. Great bottle and an insane deal if you could grab some at the recent close out pricing. Less guilt in opening a Maresh bottling this early :)

8/15/2019 - spaldingsmails wrote:

Drank this over three days. PnP on day one, acidity was a bit overbearing. On day three things seemed to come together into balance nicely. I would hold or decant as recommended.

6/4/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Wow. This is definitely a bottle to seek out. Amazing complexity for a pinot blanc with vibrant fruit and an insane long but dry finish. Would love to know how this holds up after 5-7 years.

5/19/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Great qpr here, very enjoyable basic s. rhone blend. I would say drink or hold. Was probably in a better and more open state on day two, but very approachable day one as well.

4/27/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

This was pretty wound up and with heavy tannins on day one. Second day was much more enjoyable. Very rounded dark fruits with some earth/soil. Lost some life on day three. Overall enjoyable, but not very focused and should probably be held for 2+ years.

4/19/2019 - spaldingsmails wrote:

Overall, excellent life here with excellent fruit. I prefer lean/mineral driven chardonnay from chablis/macon, and I feel this would be really enjoyable for my taste if there wasn't such a heavy oak presence, on the nose and on the palate. In this bottle the oak presence doesn't seem like the type that will integrate over time. Happy to give this a try at a discounted price.

4/7/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Fairly tight and out of balance on first opening, put in fridge. On the third day this had really opened up. Very nice entry level WV pinot. Obviously tons of life left in it. More accessible than the '16 Arterberry WV pinot I had a few weeks back. Nothing too remarkable, but very well balanced.

3/24/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Drank this over 3 days, leaving it corked on the counter. The first day it was rather basic and the acidity was a bit off putting. It gradually came around by the third day and came into balance with plenty of energy left, classic dundee hills earth and fruit. Glad to have one left, but will wait at least 1-2 years to open.

3/22/2019 - spaldingsmails wrote:

This bottle had the classic mineral profile of chablis but without a strong acid and citrus fruit profile to make it very enjoyable. Mid to late palate lacking any strength. Disappointing for 1er at ~$25.

3/4/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

I've found the 14's in OR more closed off than the other recent warm vintages. This is my second bottle of this and it's opening up more now as a PnP. Excellent tart ripe fruit, slight earthiness and nice spice. Day 2 showed slightly better. Insane value if you could get it at the recent close out pricing. Great everyday OR pinot.

1/13/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

I had a bottle of this a year ago and I remember it being a bit more dynamic than this bottle. Drank over two nights, still plenty of energy on the second night. Excellent for <$20.

1/12/2019 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Doesn't show some of the more complex minerality you find in 1er chablis, but clean and crisp and excellent for it's level. Very nice for <$20.

12/9/2018 - spaldingsmails Likes this wine:

Very nice pinot blanc. The aging on yeast adds a nice dimension. My wife guessed it was a bottle of muscadet on her first sniff.