2010 Marcassin Vineyard Pinot Noir

Crushed flowers, herbs, dried cherries, tobacco and anise abound in the 2010 Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard. I am a bit surprised by how forward the flavors are. A distinctly floral/savory character dominates, while fruit expression, freshness and textural richness are much less evident. It's hard to see the 2010 drinking well for more than a handful of years based on the bottle I tasted.

The 2010 Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard is a slightly tighter style of Pinot Noir, and lighter than the 2009. There is more acidity showing through, the fruit offering up various red and black fruits from pomegranate to plum to cassis, dark sweet cherries as well as foresty underbrush notes. It is developing quickly, without the intensity of flavor of the 2009. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.