Marcassin, Pinot Noir, “marcassin Estate Vineyard," Sonoma Coast 2014

From the record

MARCASSIN, PINOT NOIR, “MARCASSIN ESTATE VINEYARD," SONOMA COAST 2014 is documented in the Cartelier archive as served at Protégé in Palo Alto, CA. It appears on the menu of October 31, 2021 under “2021 - SECOND RELEASE”, one of 6 items served that wine. As printed, the kitchen describes it: Marcassin (French for ‘young wild boar’) is owned by renowned winemaker Helen Turley and viticulturalist John Wetlaufer. Helen earned her stellar reputation making Pahlmeyer, Peter Michael, Colgin Cellars, and Bryant Family. She crafts a unique and powerful expression of Sonoma Coast wine through ripe fruit, indigenous yeast, and François Frères French oak aging. Loads of framboise, black cherry liqueur, and strawberry preserves, complicated by nuances of baking spices and cola nut. Dense, powerful, and opulent, the wines have a reputation for aging extremely well. IDEAL DRINKING WINDOW: 2025-2035 PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS: This richer Pinot Noir stands up to sautéed or roasted game, or even pork tenderloin. DECANT: While it’s not necessary, this wine could benefit from a 30-minute decant if consumed prior to 2025. STEMWARE: Large Burgundy glasses such as Zalto Denk’Art Burgundy or Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru IDEAL SERVICE TEMPERATURE: 60°F. Every appearance below preserves the menu exactly as published — source, hash, and date — so this dish can be read as it stood on any documented evening.