What do you know about this winery? I know that it's Helen Turley, but that's about it. Has anyone had any of this? Jones?

I'm assuming it's a "our waiting list is closed and won't ever be re-opened" situation, right?

Heard of it.
Never had it.
Would like to try some of it.
Can't find it.
Couldn't afford it if I could find it.

Did you win the lottery?

Seriously, this one is pretty tough. It is out of my league price wise. Up there with Harlan and the other unobtainables.

Good luck. If you find some, have your Visa Card ready (and your credit line clear!)

On the List 5+ years. And, still waiting...

Supposed to be one of the Best Pinots/Chards (if Not the Best). But, cannot testify since never tried.

Pretty much what I figured.

I was just looking for someone to tell me a little more about it. I don't really feel like anything is unatainable, provided one is resourceful and has patience. I, personally, exhibit one of those characteristics. The patience part, however, comes up quite short.

However, given the prices I expect to see for this wine, I had better begin to hone my patience mojo.

Chard: Mailing List price is about $110.00. On release, about $150.00 (from what I have seen).

Pinot, not sure of the Prices (Mailing List & Release).

Would I buy a Chard for $110.00. Just once to try it. Would I pay $150.00 for a Chard? NEVER!!! No matter who makes it.

But, Jones had both of these Wines, so when he comes back... I talked to him about it. Even tried to trade or buy from him. He declined.

FWIW, you may want to try the Martinelli Three Sisters Sea Meadow Ridge Chard. Jones is on the record as saying this is as close to drinking a Marcassin without actually drinking a Marcassin, and the price is right at $50 from the winery. I have a couple btls, but haven't cracked them yet.

You can always find some at auction... if you're willing to pay the price.

Marcassin makes the best Chardonnays one can find in the New World. Marcassin's Pinot Noirs are in the top three Pinots made in the New World and with time will be number one.
Marcassin is run by Helen Turley and her husband John Wetlaufer. The mailing has been closed for as long as I can remember. The wines are made in micro-quantities. Back in the day, one could purchase Marcassin wines from All Seasons Cafe in Calistoga because John Wetlaufer was involved with the operation at that time.

Turley and Wetlaufer are only concerned with making wines of the highest quality. I applaud their efforts and appreciate the considerable impact they have made on fine wine in general.

Marcassin Vineyard is located in the Sonoma Coast.

I received Marcassin's 1998 release newsletter today. Prices continue to be extremely reasonable. $60 for the Marcassin Lorenzo Chardonnay (90 RP). $75 for Marcassin Blue Slide Pinot (98 RP). $90 for Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay (99RP) and Pinot Noir (98RP). Note, these ratings were achieved in the difficult 1998 vintage.

I have been lucky enough to have tasted at least a few times every wine produced by Marcassin back to the 93 vintage. Every single wine has been an experience. Marcassin wines are to be hoarded. Dare I say it, I am greedy when it comes to purchasing and consuming Marcassin. Wine simply does not get any better than Marcassin.

I guess you won't be popping open a Marcassin when I meet up with you at the Wine Cask tastings then, eh?

jb

Thanks for the info, Jones.

Jones, after that review I take back everything I said on Greed. I'm all for it!

Question : You say Marcassin is one of the top 3 producers of pinots in the new world, who do you consider to be the other 2?

JB-

Are you going to the Wine Cask tasting on March 15 or at the end of April? Unfortunately, I cannot attend the March 15 tasting because my sister in law is getting married in San Francisco that day so I am going to the April tasting.

Kistler is in the top three as well. After that, people can make reasonable arguments as to which producer is in the third spot. I would say Sine Qua Non but there are other producers that could fit there as well.

GMT is sending me two bottles of Marcassin Pinot ,which label I'm not sure.

Kistler pinot is damn impressive (one of only two US pinots I've tried-Panther Creek being the other.).

To get a real feel for Kistler's quality, one has to taste the Catherine and Elizabeth cuvees. As good as the Hirsch/Sonoma Coast/Camp Meeting Ridge/Kistler Vineyard Pinots are (CMR and KV especially), the magic of Kistler Pinots is really displayed in the cuvees.

it was the Kistler Vineyard label. I rated it 94 points and it was the 1997 Vintage, I think. I had it in 1999 and I know it wasn't the 98.

Yes, I will be attending March 15th. I will also be shooting up to Napa/Sonoma the week prior, so I might be able to catch up with you then.

jb

I have a friend who seems to buy even more from Helen than Mr Jones - if such a thing is possible. He frequently brings the chardonnays to dinners. My experience is that they are either the 1st bottle finished or they are never finished. Sometimes you can almost taste each individual flavor in your mouth, and somethings there is no flavor. Maybe it is the low acid style of winemaking, I don't know, but I have never had a more variable premium wine.

The pinots, on the other hand, have always been good - make that great.

\bob

Marcassin wine, something I hope to one day, maybe a long way in the future, taste.

I can dream about it for now, right?

No, TJ. As long as you are willing to pay up (Chard, that is).

I have seen it in Restaurants for about $220.00-$250.00. And, I had a chance to buy it a couple of times for about $150.00. I passed.

Pinot, I have NEVER seen anywhere.