2014 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard
Community Tasting Note
csimm wrote:
Sunday, October 3, 2021 - Red cherry, raspberry, Cherry Coke (or Original Cherry Coke One, or Coke Zero Cherry, or Coca-Cola Classic Cherry, or Mexican Coke Cherry Cane Azucar), Indian spice, and earth notes resonate clearly modern and ripe, but also briefly...very briefly... play in the soil and bark sandbox with the other terroir-kids from the other side of the Atlantic. There is a red berry sweetness that is at least somewhat controlled by the dashes of spice and mulch, but the candied cola element is certainly prevalent. The purity of fruit is immensely evident, as is the ripe depth, which hits all the hedonistic chords one might hope to find in a modern domestic Pinot. A fresh and inviting style to be sure.
Served next to a ‘15 Rossignol Volnay 1er Caillerets, which was as reflective of its sense of place as the Marcassin was of its California home (which was the intent of having them side by side). Drink the Marcassin now and over the next few years.
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5 comments have been posted
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (4,268 views)
Comment posted by RhoneWho:
5/21/2023 8:37:00 PM - Hi CSIMM1161, Great notes and would agree with your scoring ballpark. I just got onto her allocation list for 2013 Pinot … haven’t really figured out her mailing list allocation with respect to the release of 2014 Pinot. The offer letter says I will get the 2014 offering if I commit to 2013 offer. I was wondering how did people have gotten to taste the 2014 since 2021?
Comment posted by csimm:
5/22/2023 8:35:00 AM - Hi RhoneWho. Unfortunately I'm not much help here, as I don't buy Marcassin. Though I've had a fair amount over the years, it has been because of friends and associates bringing the wines. The release of their wines is indeed curious... What I can tell you is a number of those friends who have brought Marcassin are in the restaurant/wine industry, so my best guess is their access might be sooner than those on a tiered allocation list for individual members. That is to say, perhaps industry folk get theirs earlier. I can't say 100% on that, but that is my sense, especially since Marcassin holds back vintages for a bit and I know they have the inventory to dole out to other industry people earlier.
Comment posted by csimm:
5/22/2023 8:37:00 AM - Also, the fact you just got on the list is probably the biggest indicator of them looking to thin out 2013 inventory first before offering you 2014.
Comment posted by RhoneWho:
5/22/2023 8:56:00 AM - Thanks for sharing your insight. Just had the 2013 and don't know how to make out of it. I know 2013 vintage is not too favorable for making great pinot. It didn't wow me as compared to drinking younger vintages of Aubert, Morlet or Hartford Court, especially from the floral standpoint. However, it reminds me closer to Occidental Pinot cuvees.
There are two things that do stand out: (1) in ageability in terms of its structure held up at year 10 (with no secondary notes); (2) the aromatic is consistent present through the few hours (not effusive as other pinot but also most other pinot don't maintain the constant and long manifestation of aromatics). It's definitely more red fruit (cherry) driven profile than floral profile. I think it's better than 94 and not a solid 97 ...
I gather her chardonnay is more distinguished across many vintages than her pinot ... but what do i know .... still learning.
Comment posted by csimm:
5/22/2023 9:07:00 AM - I think your sense is right on. Though I appreciate Marcassin for some of the qualities you mention, I've never been in love with it. I know I'm in the minority here and there are many who would sell their firstborn to be on that list. Domestic/CA Pinot Noir isn't really my thing. I've done everything I can to make sure I hit a ton of the Sonoma Pinots (I live in that area after all), and although I've had some great experiences, I've found I'd rather venture across the Atlantic for Pinot generally. Anyway, all that said, I think Marcassin is clearly a worthy list to be on and there is certainly an appreciation to be had with those wines.