2007 Marcassin Pinot |
We started the tasting with another bottle Bob and Caroline had given me for one of my birthdays: A 2007 Marcassin Pinot. I had never heard of this exquisite, rare wine made by Helen Turley until Bob put it in my hands. After reading about its scarcity, how hard it was to get on the list, and seeing how exorbitantly priced it was directly (let alone on auction) I tried to return it. Bob, of course, wouldn't have anything to do with it. I tried to open it on a couple of previous occasions when the Fosters were around, but could never muster the courage. After breaking the cork (doh) I strained it into my best decanter, and let it sit for 2 plus hours before we all enjoyed this incredible treat.
We then went on to an "at your leisure" Pinot blind tasting of the best my cellar had to offer. All of the Pinots were allowed to breathe 2 plus hours.
Results
Top to Bottom from Left to Right |
Our First Bottle |
D - 2012 Halleck Vineyard, Estate came in second place with an average of 3.29, a virtual tie (TM) for first. We encountered this winery on our first trip to the Russian River. It was available by the glass at Stark's Steak & Seafood, a recommended steak house we walked to that was literally on the other side of the tracks from where we were staying. While enjoying a great steak, "Potato Skin" fondue, and truffled french fries, I discovered one of my favorites, the Three Sons Cuvee Pinot. That same night, Sue discovered one of her favorites, the Sapphire Hill Pinot. All Halleck wines are treats in our house, but a bottle of the Estate is a once a year (if that) celebration.
A - 2012 Patz & Hall, Pisoni Vineyard came in third place with an average of 3.11. Ted turned us onto this winery; their Sonoma House was our last stop on our Wine-Train-gift-certificate-inspired adventure to Sonoma and Napa last year. We joined the winery so that Ted could get some Pisoni - it's only available in limited club allocations. We enjoy the wine too, but mostly I blame Ted. :) They offer a billion Pinot and Chard varieties, so you can't help but find some you love; so far it's been an exercise in cellaring.
C - 2012 Thomas Fogarty, Rapley Trail, Henry Ayrtons’ Block, came in last place with an average of 2.22. We were tricked into rejoining Fogarty when they informed us that, while getting their records in order, they had discovered that we never received a club shipment we paid for a number of years ago. While picking up the the shipment, they plied us with all sorts of great wine, "tricking" us into rejoining. We encountered the Henry Ayrtons at a special tasting with the wine maker and owners at Fogarty.
At this point you no doubt realize that the best of my cellar is way too young, and you probably question if I've actually learned to cellar anything at all. You'll just have to take my word for it.
I'm going to cellar one of each of these to try again in two to three years.
I'm going to cellar one of each of these to try again in two to three years.