2001 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard
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Tasting notes
From barrel, this wine received a high rating, but in subsequent bottle tastings, this narrowly constructed, lean, muscular, moderate tannic Marcassin Pinot Noir continues to disappoint. It is still an outstanding Pinot, but in the league of great Pinot Noirs made by Marcassin from their Estate Vineyard on the Sonoma coast, the 2001 has usually left me wanting more. The wine still has a youthful, crisp, acid edge and is medium-bodied with moderate tannin as well as more red fruits, such as cranberries and red currants, along with forest floor, earth and spice notes. The finish is somewhat abrupt, and those who prefer austere, angular Pinot Noirs will enjoy it more than the richer, more showy vintages (i.e., 2000 and 2002).
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Very good red color. Reticent but pure nose offers up minerals, smoke and forest floor scents. Large-scaled and wonderfully sweet yet almost magically light on its feet. In fact, this wine is rather tight and racy now, with superb cut. Explosive flavors emerged with some swirling: raspberry, minerals, mocha, smoke, spices and earth. This has the combination of nervosite and complex soil tones that would kick most Burgundies off the table. Superb mounting finish. Likely to merit an even higher score with a couple more years in the bottle.
Full ruby-red. Reticent but perfumed aromas of currant, cranberry and darker fruits. Juicy and very intense, with intensely spicy flavor of small berries. Large-scaled, tactile and sharply delineated. An uncompromisingly dry, sophisticated wine with a chewy, very long aftertaste.