by Patrick Ogle
Page Springs Cellars 2013 Dragon Mountain Vineyard marsanne comes from a French grape that has found a new home in Arizona. Yes, Arizona.
At first sniff this wine--at least at Page Springs, tasting it there--was "green" not the green of cut grass but the green of a field after a rain or something prosaic like that. There is also a hint of honey. The honey is pronounced in the taste too but, as whenever I use the word "honey" I feel compelled to figuratively shout I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT SWEET! This wine is dry. There is also something melon-like in this wine. Think honeydew rather than cantaloupe.
Page Springs marsanne has aromatic qualities and a nice acidity, something you might not expect from marsanne solo (it is often a blending partner with roussanne). They may harvest their grapes before they get too ripe to keep this acidity. Keep in mind I am talking about an acidity for a varietal that isn't known for acidity.
Marsanne is a wine that can be flabby and flat on its own. I've had good ones and bad ones from various places (in blends or as a varietal). This is quite a good one. It would be a lovely wine with some salty cheeses or even spicy Asian food.
My notes on this said I perceived something tannin-like for a white which was unexpected. I am not sure if I stand by that observation looking back but thought I would include it regardless. If you let this sit open in the fridge a night? It still keeps its pep. You will read about hot weather marsanne struggling to find any acidity and that it lacks any aromatic qualities. Neither is a concern with this wine. The grape's origin is in the Rhone Valley and there it is usually blended (although not always).
It is an interesting choice to grow in Arizona and while it retains the characteristics you expect from marsanne it also adds something new that I, frankly, can't put my finger on. You can tell this isn't French in other words! I am just not sure precisely how. I better get another bottle.
Page Springs Cellars 2013 Dragon Mountain Vineyard marsanne comes from a French grape that has found a new home in Arizona. Yes, Arizona.
At first sniff this wine--at least at Page Springs, tasting it there--was "green" not the green of cut grass but the green of a field after a rain or something prosaic like that. There is also a hint of honey. The honey is pronounced in the taste too but, as whenever I use the word "honey" I feel compelled to figuratively shout I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT SWEET! This wine is dry. There is also something melon-like in this wine. Think honeydew rather than cantaloupe.
Page Springs marsanne has aromatic qualities and a nice acidity, something you might not expect from marsanne solo (it is often a blending partner with roussanne). They may harvest their grapes before they get too ripe to keep this acidity. Keep in mind I am talking about an acidity for a varietal that isn't known for acidity.
Marsanne is a wine that can be flabby and flat on its own. I've had good ones and bad ones from various places (in blends or as a varietal). This is quite a good one. It would be a lovely wine with some salty cheeses or even spicy Asian food.
My notes on this said I perceived something tannin-like for a white which was unexpected. I am not sure if I stand by that observation looking back but thought I would include it regardless. If you let this sit open in the fridge a night? It still keeps its pep. You will read about hot weather marsanne struggling to find any acidity and that it lacks any aromatic qualities. Neither is a concern with this wine. The grape's origin is in the Rhone Valley and there it is usually blended (although not always).
It is an interesting choice to grow in Arizona and while it retains the characteristics you expect from marsanne it also adds something new that I, frankly, can't put my finger on. You can tell this isn't French in other words! I am just not sure precisely how. I better get another bottle.
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