February 3, 2024 - A little bit sweet but complex, good quality and ready to drink.
June 2, 2021 - 6th Annual PNV Kick Off Lunch...1st travel since shutdown!..w Tom/Jay/Mitch/Monica/Paula/Jamie A/Tor/Greg G (Farmstead, St. Helena, CA): One of my contributions. In my cellar from 10_ years, waiting for a worth audience...:) Was unsure if this would have gone the distance with this kind of age. Slow oxed for 30 minutes, drank over 2 hours.
Medium ruby color, cloudy. Nose initially showed some medicinal/asperin and funk. After about 45 minutes it evolved to red berry, lavender and damp earth. Palate of dark red fruits, spice, mushroom and smoke. Texture is a bit sappy/dense. Full body, medium finish.
A solid showing, the group was split on this. It is still in good shape, the style may have been too heavy for some palates. Either way, still in good shape - would drink now
November 24, 2018 - Spices, cola, black fruit, drinking well
June 14, 2017 - Very, very surprisingly good. I am slowly learning that Marcassin + age is a good thing. Initial funk that many did not like, mostly medicinal, and initially an almost sour, acidic taste. But quickly began evolving and filling out, 30-60 minutes in a decanter and this was singing. Very complex mid palate and finish, herbs, spices, dark fruit and earth. Nicely balanced. I do not see any further improvement coming, but certainly still good to go for a few more years.
June 3, 2017 - The 2002 Marcassin was very good given it was 15 years old. Drink now.
December 31, 2015 - Opened about 30 minutes before tasting. Lovely deep red, aromatic nose of lavender and ripe berries. Quite smooth on the palate with a complex taste of berries, spice, and lavender. Long finish and little sign of the 15% abv. Lovely wine, more complex than an 05 Kistler Catherine which was tasted in parallel, although the fruit on the Kistler was brighter.
December 18, 2015 - A quintessential Marcassin! Absolutely delicious pinot from the first pour but continued to evolve in the glass. Last of the 2002, wish I had more!
October 17, 2014 - A sublime pinot that has matured beautifully. A wonderful pairing to the cuisine at Niche.
May 2, 2013 - Outstanding effort by Marcassin. Still plenty of life!
January 25, 2013 - Did not place well in a tasting of twelve California and Oregon pinots. Pleasant aroma, medium color and medium body, but not extraordinary, especially considering the price. Walter Hansel North Slope, Runquist "R" pinot noir, Pisoni all easily outscored it. One left...would be happy to trade it for current value of $275! My Marcassins have not lived up to the hype, and I stopped buying them a few years ago after having bought them for a decade.