Friday, May 22, 2009

2007 JC Cellars Marsanne, Preston Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

What can I say about Jeff Cohn that has not already been said? Genius winemaker, good friend, crazy guy, family man, passionate … the list goes on.

Aroma: ripe peaches
Color: golden yellow
Body: medium – full body

From their website: Renown for Rhône style wines, and hailed as one of the masters of zinfandel, JC Cellars founder and winemaker Jeff Cohn marries his passion for classic French style winemaking with a spirited Californian sense of innovation to craft elegant wines that showcase terroir.

Tasting Notes: Rich, with plenty of depth, this wine contains the element of ripe peaches at its center, but is balanced with minerality. Ripe stone fruit and citrus blossom waft placidly in the glass and a classic hint of bitter almond rounds out the creamy finish. Big and racy, its acidity avoids the heaviness that can be associated with Marsanne from warmer climates.

“Jeff Cohn, the owner-winemaker of JC Cellars in Oakland, California, is a Marsanne convert. He told me that, after traveling to France two years ago, “this majestic grape was no longer my inspiration, but my obsession.”

Returning from a recent trip to France, Cohn is just as smitten (“I feel like I’ve come from a revival meeting”). “Viognier is so fruity and obvious, Roussanne is pretty and full of finesse,” says Cohn, “but Marsanne is a grape of real sophistication. Tasting it forces you to ask the question: What is this wine showing me? And the answer is, of course, the vineyard. Few grapes are as transparent as Marsanne—the levels of stony flavor and mineral texture are just insane.” Excerpt from: Always the Bridesmaid, Marsanne, the ignored little sister of the Rhône whites, has good bones - By Jordan Mackay

Eat with: shellfish sausage; lobster, bay scallops & prawns, saffron tagliatelle & smoked pepper coulis

Website:
www.jccellars.com