Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer's legendary Marcassin now available in limited quantities. Always one of the highest-rated Chardonnays in California. 99 Points Robert Parker: "Flirting with perfection, the 2010 Chardonnay Marcassin Estate exhibits a serious liqueur of stones along with a greenish hue to its straw color, fabulous density, richness and full-bodied power, but zesty acids and notes of quince, white currants, subtle peach, brioche and apricot marmalade are all present in this multi-dimensional, complex, stunning Chardonnay that will be released in 2014. It should easily last for 10-15 years." ...The visionary husband and wife team of John Wetlaufer and Helen Turley have created a largely unprecedented legacy of extraordinary quality that is unsurpassed by anyone else in Northern California. They have built a winery in Windsor, California in Sonoma Valley with 20 acres of vines situated high above the fog line, on the Sonoma Coast. They were among the first to recognize the extraordinary potential for world-class quality wine production on the Sonoma Coast. Their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines are planted at elevations between 800 and 1,400 feet. The plantings are either 5 x 8 or 3 x 6.5. The Chardonnay clonal material is dominated by Old Wente, but there are also selections from the Hyde, Mt. Eden, Dijon 95 and Dijon 76 clones. The Pinot Noir clonal material is dominated by the Calera selection, with some Old Swan that came via the old Martin Ray clone that came via Dehlinger and Kistler. The second part of their 20-acre vineyard was planted, at least for the Pinot Noir, largely with the Calera selection as well as the newer Dijon clones 777 and 667.The winemaking techniques are clearly artisanal and very Burgundian, although these Chardonnays tend to age better than most white Burgundies made since 1996. I tasted two vintages, the Three Sisters, which is a Martinelli-farmed vineyard from which they will no longer be using fruit, in addition to their profound estate vineyard. 2010 produced just over two tons of fruit per acre and was a vintage that appears to be slightly more intense and have a higher ceiling than 2009."
Shay A
Wednesday Wine Committee hosted by Dan. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. Tasted blind as usual. I guessed the producer was Marcassin. At the end of the day, Marcassin is just so distinct when compared to other Cali chards, and it’s always magnificent (for my taste). Smoked lemon, grilled marshmallows, sea salt, popcorn kernel and almost sulfuric. Impeccable.
Wednesday Wine Committee hosted by Dan. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. Tasted blind as usual. I guessed the producer was Marcassin. At the end of the day, Marcassin is just so distinct when compared to other Cali chards, and it’s always magnificent (for my taste). Smoked lemon, grilled marshmallows, sea salt, popcorn kernel and almost sulfuric. Impeccable.
9.5John Svoboda
Tried 3 bottles and experienced some bottle variation. The best had a strong bouquet of hazelnut and butterscotch, very full in mouth with forward fruit, bright acidity and great depth. Buttery, nutty and burgundy-esque. A heavyweight!
Tried 3 bottles and experienced some bottle variation. The best had a strong bouquet of hazelnut and butterscotch, very full in mouth with forward fruit, bright acidity and great depth. Buttery, nutty and burgundy-esque. A heavyweight!
9.5Joe Raymond
Clove and vanilla on the nose with lemon custard and pineapple. On the palate light on its feet but still loads of flavor and drenching the palate in flavor. What a wonderful expression of chardonnay. Blown away by this wine. Hard to beat
Clove and vanilla on the nose with lemon custard and pineapple. On the palate light on its feet but still loads of flavor and drenching the palate in flavor. What a wonderful expression of chardonnay. Blown away by this wine. Hard to beat
10David L
10' Marcassin Chardonnay. I've had quite a few bottles of the 2010. It's just gotten better with time. So many great years in it!! The 10' is exceptional!!
10' Marcassin Chardonnay. I've had quite a few bottles of the 2010. It's just gotten better with time. So many great years in it!! The 10' is exceptional!!
9.6David L
10' Certainly wanted to wait a year. It's that good! Drinking better than it was just two months ago. Like my previous notes it's close to perfect. Recommend highly drinking at cellar temperature.
10' Certainly wanted to wait a year. It's that good! Drinking better than it was just two months ago. Like my previous notes it's close to perfect. Recommend highly drinking at cellar temperature.
9.6David L
10' Wait... It has staying power. The nose on this wine sells it. Amazing apricot, melon, lemon curd. Better balanced & more approachable now then the 09' . I would wait a few years to open the rest.
10' Wait... It has staying power. The nose on this wine sells it. Amazing apricot, melon, lemon curd. Better balanced & more approachable now then the 09' . I would wait a few years to open the rest.
9.5Henrik Poulsen
2010-vintage.
2010-vintage.
9.5Matt Courtney
Winemaker Arista Winery
Good, but not my favorite vintage.
Good, but not my favorite vintage.
9.2Marc Smoler
Sales Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.
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9.0Jonathan Epstein
Fabulous - having with Lobster and good friends
Fabulous - having with Lobster and good friends
9.9WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.