Marsanne

[Karena Shannon]

I don't have any experience with Aussie Marsanne, and my very limited experiences with Wht Hermitage have not been good, but I can wholeheartedly recommend some US producers of Marsanne. I agree with Jancis Robinson's take that the wines do give off a "glue-like" character; this doesn't bug me, but it might bug you. Some tasty US producers that make a varietally labelled Marsanne include Qupe (have had an excellent '89 and '93 from them) and Preston (his '96 was very good) Most other U.S. Rhone Rangers blend the stuff with Roussanne, a la White Hermitage and CdP.

Hey, at least the stuff doesn't taste like Chardonnay :-)