Shay A

9.2

Trying this next to the ‘11 Marcassin was quite interesting. This was borderline reductive in profile. More Chablis like than typical Cali chard. At 9yrs though, the bright fruit has darkened a bit...golden pear, kumquat, sea spray aromatics. Tart on the palate with oyster shell and bruised Granny Smith apple. — 5 years ago

with joe, Benjamin and 1 other

Mark Flesher

9.2

Obviously compared to the 2003 Marcassin Three Sisters Pinot, this one has more youth. This one did seem to be a little more unidimensional. Had a lot of good raspberry on the nose and up front. But the middle of this wine finds an herbal stride and finishes rather acidic. I am not sure if this one needs two more years in the cellar or should have been consumed two years PRIOR to now. But, it is actually quite delicious but lacking a bit of complexity. — 5 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 1 other

Mike Evans

9.3

Great weight and texture, lush without being overbearing, lemon curd fruit with a touch of vanilla, a little flabby but drinking very well. I’m not a huge fan of the producer but this one was very appealing. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Another 4th Friday for the books!

Probably would have guessed Marcassin blind...makes sense since they used to source this fruit. Scorched butterscotch, salted popcorn, grilled lemon peel on the nose. Viscous palate, with toasted vanilla oak, brioche and a distinct Smokey note to finish it off. — 6 years ago

with Jack, Dan and 1 other

Max Reichwage

9.2

Great balance, finesse, v clean finish, well cellared bottle still in its drinking window — 6 years ago

David L

9.3

14’ Arista UV-EL Diablo Vineyard Chardonnay. Old world!?! Burgundian style!?! Needs another year or more!!
Rich & layered. White flowers, white peach, fig, minerality. Light on its feet. Very well-made Chardonnay.

Matt Courtney winemaker, somebody I enjoy following. Matt started up Ferren wines a few years back. EDIT- Your worst fears... last glass was better then the first. WAIT until 2020/21.
He also had an 8/10 year apprenticeship with Helen Turley at Marcassin. — 6 years ago

Neil Cornish

9.1

Big bananas. Complex and mineral. Lacks a little acid — 7 years ago

with Jon, Michael and 1 other

Mark Flesher

9.4

Lucky to go up the Sugar Shack ladder once again. Great salinity on this. Great notes of honeydew, mango, banana pudding, dried herbs on the nose and entry of the wine. The middle explodes here, showing a wonderful white flower with herb and yellow fruits. Full throttle. This was the best chard on the table, and that's saying something with a 13 Pahlmeyer Faire, 12 Marcassin Marcassin, and two 11 Kistlers ALSO on the table. — 5 years ago

with Dan and Shay

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.3

Has everyone tasted these wines? Stupid good. It's like white Burgundy meets California. I love the ripe but pure fruit. Mandarin orange, quince, lemon oil. It is nicely framed by oak but in now way dominated. It is just pure pure pure. Minerally and precise but richness that you find in Peter michael, kistler and Aubert. Lots of dry extract and a bit of reduction to boot. Serious Chardonnay. The single vineyards are even better. Message me for some at a killer price but also get on this list before it turns into a waiting list. Winemaker is a former marcassin alumn and it shows — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.6

WNH event number 3...new world Pinot. Such a treat to experience the many different variations of Pinot!

This, alongside the ‘09 Rivers-Marie Summa OV and the ‘12 Marcassin, were all tied (in my opinion) for WOTN. This is a massive Pinot and benefitted from some air time. Cherry liqueur like enter which then turns darker to a black cherry baked pie, spice, and candied blackberries. There was a sweet, but not rich, note on the mid palate that reminds me of a mixed berry cobbler. Lengthy and flavor packed finish. Just beginning to enter a prime drinking window. Killer bottle from @Shawn R . — 6 years ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

Mark Flesher

9.5

What a pinot! For all the nonbelievers about Cali Pinot, they haven't had this one. Bouquet of cherry cola. Entry of cherry cola and herb. Acidic and beautiful together. Finish of herbal red cherry cola. Best aged pinot I have had. Words just cannot describe this one fully, but x 's rating probably will :) — 6 years ago

with Dan, Keith and 1 other

Keith Fisher

9.5

Fabulous older California Chardonnay. Not much acid left (it had all precipitated out), but still rich and very enjoyable. undoubtedly a but past prime for my palate. I tend to prefer to err on the side of drinking California Chardonnay too young rather than chance them being too old, so I wouldn’t hold it any longer if I had it. On the other hand, I certainly wouldn’t pass up a glass if you are offered this. Not sure how anyone could rate this a lot lower unless they had a flawed bottle, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Thanks Dan. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

In comparison to a 2005 Marcassin (that was corked), an 05 Hobbs Chard, and a DuMol 2012 Chard, this one was the white wine of the day. This was the perfect balance between malolactic and "old world" style Chards. I was really quite enamored with this wine from cork pop. The nose did not indicate butter in any way, but the front of this wine surely did. The middle of this wine yielded a dry, stone ground fruit note. The finish of this wine included white pepper and a hint of cinnamon. For me, this one was white wine of the afternoon/night, and not even close to being done yet. — 7 years ago

with Shay and Benjamin

Mark Flesher

9.1

Definitely not sub 90. Does it have that backbone and full throttle complexity of a Marcassin, Peter Michael, Aubert or Kistler chard? No. But, as far as Chardonnay goes this one is a pleaser at the $40 price point. Nose of basil and rosemary and limestone, honey and pear. Entry is rounded up front, entry with surprising acidity. Honey, peach, white wildflowers, honeysuckle, mango. Gets more mineral rich in the middle and finish. Impressive chard. I'd say this can hold 5 to 10 years easily. — 5 years ago

Keith Fisher

9.8

Always the most interesting champagne on the table and today was WOTN (IMO slightly edging out Dan’s ‘96 Marcassin Chardonnay). How do you balance lively and oxidative in champagne? I don’t know, but Selosse clearly does. Thanks Joe Leatherwood. Very generous as always. — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Now definitely more inclined to believe the CT 93+ ratings and the Delectable 94's. This is a very nice pinot. Nose of underripe black cherry. Sweet. I will dare say this has a Marcassin nose. Sweeter fruit on the front. Quite delicious. Black cherry and herb. Finishes strong. Still has plenty of life left. Never would have guessed this was a 2012. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

@Benjamin Keator had his hosting at the CC tonight and it was absolutely incredible. What a night of gorgeous wines! All wines are guessed blind.

Out of the 3 whites, I guessed they were all 2012s (they were). I ended up guessing this was Marcassin based on the smoked waxy note I got with this (always get with Marcassin). It wasn’t buttery, but it wasn’t overly sulfuric. It had low acidity too and a fair amount of fruit. This ended up being most (including mine) white of the night. — 6 years ago

with Benjamin, Weston and 1 other

Benjamin Keator

9.2

Everyone thought it was toast, except for me — 6 years ago

with Keith

Justin Wittkopf

9.4

Damn this was nice. Only got a few sips, unfortunately. Love the nose with Pears, boiled apples, lychee fruit, and just the right amount of oak spice. Can tell this winemaker was at Marcassin for so long. Can’t wait to see what this becomes in a few years. Thanks to Antonio for turning me on to this. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Another 4th Friday for the books! What a variety this month!

At 24yrs old, it’s incredible how this drinks. Obviously past its prime, but by no means a lost bottle. Had never heard of this vineyard. Butterscotch, salted popcorn kernels, and cornbread note too. Still retaining some nice acidity! — 6 years ago

with Mark