Your average afternoon (Marcassin, Rochioli, Arrowood)

[Tom_Gutting]

• 1997 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Spéciale - USA, California, Sonoma County (9/12/2009)
  This is a winner that’s drinking well right now. Dark red color that betrays no signs of age. Beautiful bouquet, full of life, with black currant, cedar, tobacco, and earthy notes. In the mouth, really lively, almost racy. It just emphasizes bright fruit and isn’t heavy or plodding at all. Perhaps not overly complex, but a really delicious wine to drink. It has life yet caresses the palate nicely. Underrated wine. A-
• 2001 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir West Block - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (9/12/2009)
  14.2% alcohol. Interesting nose, atypical for Pinot. Quite ripe, with more blackberry fruit than anything else, and a touch of funk. This seemed pretty ripe. The palate was lush and texturally compelling, but somehow it didn’t totally add up to scream Pinot at you. Beautifully balanced, impressively concentrated. This was a terrific wine to drink, but it’s not scoring based on varietal correctness. A-
• 2002 Marcassin Pinot Noir Three Sisters - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (9/12/2009)
  14.8% alcohol. Black cherry color. On the nose, a barest hint of funk, blue and black fruits, a touch of spice, and a hint of earth. In the mouth, this was like drinking the essence of a blueberry-blackberry jam. Exquisite fruit definition that kept you raising your glass to your lips unconsciously. Don’t let the ripeness and power of the wine fool you. It was weightless on the palate, with an improbably sense of balance. Hints of spice and earth, although not overly complex. Good acidity. Extremely long finish that left a lingering sense of wonderment at how such a jammy Pinot could be so light. A
• 2003 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (9/12/2009)
  14.4% alcohol. Light yellow color. Full bouquet of buttery popcorn, apple, fig, and a touch of lemon oil. In the mouth, this was powerful and balanced, tasting its best at near room temperature. Round and ripe apple, pear, and fig flavors up front, with a light streak of citrus down the back side. Enough acidity to maintain focus. Stunning finish that incorporated a touch of minerals with the smooth oak. Impressive expression of the big style of Chardonnay and very drinkable. A-/A

Posted from CellarTracker

[seawayjan]

@Tom Gutting

• 2002 Marcassin Pinot Noir Three Sisters - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (9/12/2009)
  14.8% alcohol. Black cherry color. On the nose, a barest hint of funk, blue and black fruits, a touch of spice, and a hint of earth. In the mouth, this was like drinking the essence of a blueberry-blackberry jam. Exquisite fruit definition that kept you raising your glass to your lips unconsciously. Don’t let the ripeness and power of the wine fool you. It was weightless on the palate, with an improbably sense of balance. Hints of spice and earth, although not overly complex. Good acidity. Extremely long finish that left a lingering sense of wonderment at how such a jammy Pinot could be so light. A

Posted from CellarTracker

Had 2002 Marcassin three sister pinot with a burghhead. He wasn’t expecting much with so much alcohol before he tasted, but said it reminded him of Leroy after he tasted it. I never had leroy so cannot comment but certainly agree with your ‘weightless’ comment.