1998 | WA 97 t offers up notes of raspberry jam, Asian plum sauce, blackberries and smoked game in an incredibly complex, nuanced style. While not unctuous in texture, it is rich, round, savory, complex and deep. 2000 | WA 97 Truly great stuff, this medium to full-bodied 2000 exhibits scents of rose petals intertwined with charcuterie, spring flowers, blue and black fruits, and hints of raspberries, cola, and mint oil. This profound, extremely nuanced, powerful, exuberant Pinot Noir boasts terrific definition and personality. 2001 | WS 97 Described as having "incredible richness, density and concentration 2006 | WA 96 It just began to reveal its ultimate potential. Notes of forest floor, plums, black cherries and raspberries intermixed with notions of blueberries and smoked meats are found in this dark plum/ruby/purple-tinged wine. Clos de la Roche-like, it exhibits sweet tannin and impressive depth, but as mentioned above, it has tightened up considerably over the last year and is probably best forgotten for another 1-2 years. 2013 | VIVINO 4.5 The wines are left on the lees after fermentation. No fining, filtering or cold stabilization is done, so the wines may have a fine sediment and occasionally tartaric acid crystals. Rich and opulent with noticeable sweetness reflecting generous alcohol, the wines have a reputation for aging very well. About Winery If you haven’t heard of Helen Turley, or tasted one of her wines, you’ve definitely not been paying close enough attention to the wines coming out of California in the last 10 years. She is arguably one of the most influential winemakers in the business, receiving critical acclaim for almost every wine she touches. Aside from her own boutique winery, Marcassin, which she runs with husband John Wetlaufer, Helen has been the consulting winemaker for some of the best wineries in the country – Colgin, Bryant Family, Martinelli – just to name a few. Marcassin (french for 'young wild boar') is a VERY small winery – in fact it’s so small that the wines have actually been made at the Martinelli winery in Russian River Valley. Located on the Sonoma Coast, the Marcassin vineyard is planted to 50/50 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and is about 10 acres in size. Fruit for the other vineyard designated wines is sourced from other neighboring vineyards. Marcassin will always be a small winery; John & Helen feel the perfect size is 100 barrels, enough for 2,500 cases.Helen’s winemaking philosophy is simple: great vineyards, meticulously farmed, limited yield, long hang time and natural yeast. She approaches every project with these same priorities.
