Marcassin
Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
A distinctive CA Chard for sure. Creamy, dusty, lemony, with white flowers that hang with you. Very drinkable.
A distinctive CA Chard for sure. Creamy, dusty, lemony, with white flowers that hang with you. Very drinkable.
Feb 17th, 2022unique style of Chardonnay. Super clunky but loaded with flavor and very drinkable
unique style of Chardonnay. Super clunky but loaded with flavor and very drinkable
May 15th, 2021
A bit of a shock to the system for the Burgundian palate. But nice to change it up sometimes! Massively concentrated and pretty opulent to me, but there is a line of racy acidity that balances its weighty texture and full body. It‘s intensely flavored and layered with stone fruit, butterscotch, hazelnuts and hints of burnt orange and marzipan on the finish. A finish which goes on forever. The wine seems to pick up a presence of alcohol over time. Either that or it could have been that dessert altered my palate by the end of the meal. Either way, very enjoyable and always a nice treat to have arguably our country’s best Chard, but for the most part, I‘ll stick to Burgundy 🙃
A bit of a shock to the system for the Burgundian palate. But nice to change it up sometimes! Massively concentrated and pretty opulent to me, but there is a line of racy acidity that balances its weighty texture and full body. It‘s intensely flavored and layered with stone fruit, butterscotch, hazelnuts and hints of burnt orange and marzipan on the finish. A finish which goes on forever. The wine seems to pick up a presence of alcohol over time. Either that or it could have been that dessert altered my palate by the end of the meal. Either way, very enjoyable and always a nice treat to have arguably our country’s best Chard, but for the most part, I‘ll stick to Burgundy 🙃
Apr 28th, 2021
Celebrating 20 years with my lovely bride! 
Celebrating 20 years with my lovely bride! 
Jul 9th, 2020
After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.
I was somewhat surprised to see this was a Marcassin, mostly because it seemed more elegant than my normal experience. It didn’t have that roasted marshmallow note I seem to associate with Marcassin. This was my favorite of the two whites...extremely aromatic with chamomile, honeysuckle, powdered lemon tart and orange blossom. Massive amounts of juicy fruit (which I associate with Peter Michael) on the palate...frosted guava, sea salt and lemon meringue. I called this 8-10yr old Cali chard (specifically Peter Michael Point Rouge).
After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.
I was somewhat surprised to see this was a Marcassin, mostly because it seemed more elegant than my normal experience. It didn’t have that roasted marshmallow note I seem to associate with Marcassin. This was my favorite of the two whites...extremely aromatic with chamomile, honeysuckle, powdered lemon tart and orange blossom. Massive amounts of juicy fruit (which I associate with Peter Michael) on the palate...frosted guava, sea salt and lemon meringue. I called this 8-10yr old Cali chard (specifically Peter Michael Point Rouge).
Very toasty, nutty, needed some time to open up. Really opened up after hour two. Butter, cream, good acid, citrus and a little mineral in there. Beautiful.
Very toasty, nutty, needed some time to open up. Really opened up after hour two. Butter, cream, good acid, citrus and a little mineral in there. Beautiful.
Jun 8th, 2020Alive and well showing a beautiful golden color and still packing plenty of richness. No premox here, torched pineapple, buttered popcorn, toasted hazelnuts, damp earth and toasted coconut. Finishes with tremendous length and depth. Drink through 2015? Nah chill.
Alive and well showing a beautiful golden color and still packing plenty of richness. No premox here, torched pineapple, buttered popcorn, toasted hazelnuts, damp earth and toasted coconut. Finishes with tremendous length and depth. Drink through 2015? Nah chill.
Apr 17th, 2020Man, did this one open up incredibly. Started out a bit reticent but a few hours in, it was singing. Tension in a good way, so many flavors and a finish that went on and on. One of the best Cali chards I have had to date. I have more thank goodness.
Man, did this one open up incredibly. Started out a bit reticent but a few hours in, it was singing. Tension in a good way, so many flavors and a finish that went on and on. One of the best Cali chards I have had to date. I have more thank goodness.
Dec 13th, 2019A less showy vintage for Marcassin, with the signature easy and butterscotch traits nowhere to be found. While bold, I wouldn’t call this powerful (which is rare for Marcassin). All that to say, it was supremely balanced and I’m hard pressed to say this is going to get better (though it seems to likely hold in this window for a bit). Sea salt, lemon cream, honeysuckle and granite upfront. Richly textured with wonderful complexity, going back and forth between tart and ripe stone fruits alongside wet rock. This was the most Aubert-like Marcassin I’ve had. Delicious.
A less showy vintage for Marcassin, with the signature easy and butterscotch traits nowhere to be found. While bold, I wouldn’t call this powerful (which is rare for Marcassin). All that to say, it was supremely balanced and I’m hard pressed to say this is going to get better (though it seems to likely hold in this window for a bit). Sea salt, lemon cream, honeysuckle and granite upfront. Richly textured with wonderful complexity, going back and forth between tart and ripe stone fruits alongside wet rock. This was the most Aubert-like Marcassin I’ve had. Delicious.
Aug 31st, 2019