May 1, 2024 - Marvelous nose, balance and cherry fruit
April 4, 2023 - Wine gathering at RJ's; 4/4/2023-4/7/2023 (South Carolina): This particular bottle lost most of the concentrated fruit expression. Unlike the Centenaire, it doesn’t show much tertiary notes which makes it just too simple and straightforward. If I were to own a bottle, I would sell.
November 27, 2020 - Decanted for 1 hour. Aromas of balsamic, rhubarb, dried cherry, dried strawberry and tomato leaf. Flavors of dried cherry, dried strawberry, licorice, balsamic and earth. Ends with a dried cherry and soy finish of 25-30 seconds. Bit tight opening but opened up with some air. Got just a bit of heat on the palate but not too distracting.
January 25, 2020 - Finish was shorter than remembered. Otherwise, great wine.
November 1, 2019 - Not the best effort from my favorite California winery. Swampy, unfocused and a bit hot. There is a lot of extract but it just feels jumbled. Can’t be upset as I have glorious memories of so many wines from Marcassin. This just isn’t one of them. (85)
April 24, 2019 - One of the first wines I purchased from Marcassin. I have loved almost everything from this winery, but this is a disappointment. Color is a healthy light ruby, but things go downhill with the first smell. Heavy oak masks the red fruit and coffee notes. The palate follows suit - way too much oak/structure and too little wine. A negative surprise as this is one of the few new world producers I will “buy all” from with each vintage. (84)
July 8, 2018 - Holding up quite well, still many years ahead for this. Sweet dark cherry, smooth mouthfeel with creamy oak spice notes. Was quite enjoyable.
June 15, 2018 - Poured with a ruby red translucence with a little bit of dirt. The nose was minty, herbal, raspberry. A viscious swirl was a scratch and sniff. The entry of this wine was delicate, acidic. For a 2006, this one had a rather nice semi-sweet raspberry fruit profile. I even think that this one could still sit a year. The finish has nice acidity, AMPLE fruit. Kudos to Keith for a great bottle.
November 4, 2017 - Pinot at Jim's (Jim's): Corked, tried Saran but it was only slightly effective.
August 19, 2017 - Not a ton of notes. Big Cali pinot. Huge flavors and tons of fruit. Definitely very new world in style.