Dec 30, 2022
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DANCIN Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Cindy Marca, Dan Marca |
| Web site | www.dancinvineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
Dan and Cindy Marca studied viticulture through courses from University of California at Davis, Oregon State University and Chemeketa Community College's Northwest Viticulture Center in Salem. Ten years later, in 2007, they bought a 15-acre property near Jacksonville in the Rogue Valley. They named the estate DANCIN Vineyards after the first three letters of each of their names.
The site has a unique exposure making it suitable for Pinot Noir. The vineyard is shaded for up to two hours a day at the hottest time of the day and situated at varied elevations of between 1,700 and nearly 2,000 feet.
The vineyard is adjacent DANCIN's tasting room and winery. By mid-March, there will be just over 19 acres with 67% planted to Pinot Noir, and the remainder to Chardonnay. There are seven different Pinot Noir clones.
The winemaker since 2010 has been Brian Denner, who has been making wine professionally for nearly 20 years. He is a degree in enology from California State University at Fresno and has worked as cellarmaster at Williams Selyem Winery, as an assistant winemaker at Kingston Family Vineyards in Chile, and as winemaker at Denner Vineyards in Paso Robles.
A Tuscan style tasting room has impressive views of the Cascade Range and a wine cave houses barreled and bottled wines. Once all the vineyards are in production, expected output will be 3,000-3,600 cases.
Articles About DANCIN Vineyards
Reviewed Wines
2016 DANCIN Capriccio Southern Oregon Chardonnay
14.0% alc., 90 cases, $32. Robert Young 17, Dijon
76 and Wente 72 clones. Average harvest Brix 23.5º. Whole cluster pressed into French oak, native yeast
fermentation. No malolactic fermentation. Aged in French oak barrels on lees with weekly stirring, 20% new,
80% neutral. Gently filtered and bottled after 6 months.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass.
Aromas of lemon creme, yeast, chalk and oak cask lead off. Modest richness of citrus-driven flavor, slightly
creamy in texture, finishing with good brightness, but with a hint of alcoholic warmth.
Score: 89.
Reviewed August 27, 2017
ARTICLE »
2016 DANCIN Mélange Southern Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., 135 cases, $32. Robert Young
17, Dijon 76, 15 and 809. Average harvest Brix 23.7º. Whole cluster pressed into French oak and
stainless steel. Native yeast fermentation. No malolactic fermentation. Aged on lees with weekly
stirring in 30% French oak barrels (17% new and 13% neutral) and 70% stainless steel for 6 months
before gentle filtering and bottling.
·
Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. The nose leads with
scents of lemon curd, white peach and straw. Vibrant, with richly flavored notes of grilled lemon, pear
and white peach. Nicely balanced and easy to cozy up to.
Score: 90.
Reviewed August 27, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 DANCIN Écarté Oregon Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 132
cases, $37. Sourced from Aegrina Vineyard in the McMinnville
AVA. Average harvest Brix 24.1º Pommard clone. After destemming,
the grapes underwent a cold soak for up to 7 days.
Native yeast fermentation, aged 11 months in French oak
barrels, 12.86% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the
glass. Plenty to like in this middleweight wine with aromas of
blackberry jam, spice box, beef jerky and warm brioche leading to flavors
of sappy black cherry, dark chocolate and black tea. Impressive mouth
presence and finish, with complimentary tannins and tucked in alcohol.
Score: 93.
Reviewed August 27, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 DANCIN Pas de Trois Oregon Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., 162 cases, $37. Sourced from
DANCIN estate vineyard in Southern Oregon, and Hyland Vineyard and Aegrina Vineyard, both in
the McMinnville AVA. Clone 777. After de-stemming, the grapes underwent a cold soak of up to 7
days. Native yeast fermentation, and aged 11 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 37.25%
new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Seductive aromas of fresh cherry, blueberry and
toast. Light to mid weight flavors of red cherry and warm spices with a hint of oak and savory herbs.
Smoothly textured, with gentle tannins, and a modest but pleasing finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed August 27, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 DANCIN Plié Southern Oregon Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 138 cases, $37. Sourced from three
of the seven original estate blocks. Clones 115 (7% whole cluster) and Pommard. After destemming,
the fruit underwent a 7-day cold soak. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 11 months on lees
in French oak barrels, 39.17% new.
·
Light ruby red color in the glass. Shy, but comfortable aromas of
red cherry and red berry. Lighter styled and primarily red-fruited. Easygoing and rather simple with a
silky mouthfeel. The tannins stick out a bit on the bright finish. The wine does perform better over
time in the glass.
Score: 89.
Reviewed August 27, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 DANCIN Septette Southern Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 94 cases, $37. Sourced from the
seven original blocks and seven originally planted clones: 114, 115, 667, 777, “828,” Pommard and
Wädenswil 2A. After de-stemming the grapes were cold soaked for up to 7 days. Native yeast
fermentation, aged on lees for 11 months in French oak barrels, 38.61% new.
·
Moderately light
garnet color in the glass. The nose offers a pleasant combination of fruit (dark red cherry) and
savory (herbs, underbrush) aromas. This wine has a prominent savory edge along with a mid weight
core of vivid black cherry fruit. Noticeable tannins ply the background and show up modestly on the
finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed August 27, 2017
ARTICLE »
2012 DANCIN Vineyards “Chastinelle Reserve” Southern Oregon Chardonnay
13.7% alc., 100 cases,
$30. A blend of five clones (Robert Young, Espiguette
352, Dijon 76, Wente and Draper) grown on the estate
and neighboring Panner-Hanson Vineyard. Indigenous
yeast fermentation, aged sur lie in a blend of neutral
French oak barrels and stainless steel barrels. Weekly
battonage. Aged 7 months.
·
Light golden straw color and clear in
the glass. The nose is fresh and bright, with inviting aromas of
lemon, peach and tropical fruits. Slightly creamy on the palate with
vibrant flavors of lemon, pear and peach and a subtle accent of
tropical fruits and oak in the background. A superb wine with excellent harmony, a gentle demeanor,
and a good cut of refreshing acidity on the smooth, lemon drop-driven finish.
Score: 94.
Reviewed January 23, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 DANCIN Vineyards “Élevé” Barrel Select Southern Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5%
alc., 99 cases, $34. Named after a ballet movement in which you rise up high on to the
balls of your feet relates to the grapes for this wine sourced from the estate’s highest
elevation vineyard at nearly 2,000 feet. A blend of 777, Pommard and 115. 100% destemmed,
fermented in small bins with indigenous yeast, aged 15 months in 40% new
French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black raspberry,
black cherry and cigar box evolve slowly over time in the glass. Ripe-fruited and robust on the palate
with sappy flavors of black cherry and black raspberry framed by firm but felty tannins and juicy
acidity. Some of the black cherry fragrance returns to haunt the lengthy finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 23, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 DANCIN Vineyards “Trata” Southern Oregon Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 150 cases, $34.
Clones Wädenswil 2A, 114, 667 and “828.” 100% de-stemmed, indigenous yeast fermentation, aged
15 months in 44.44% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate light black cherry color in the glass. A bit
shy, but pleasing marriage of underbrush, red cherry, spice and oak aromas. Mid weight flavors of
red cherries and berries with a subtle savory herb note in the background. Unobtrusive tannins,
refreshing acidity and some finishing goodness. Two bottles tasted with consistent results.
Score: 88.
Reviewed January 23, 2015
ARTICLE »
2016 DANCIN Capriccio Southern Oregon Chardonnay
14.0% alc., 90 cases, $32. Robert Young 17, Dijon 76 and Wente 72 clones. Average harvest Brix 23.5º. Whole cluster pressed into French oak, native yeast fermentation. No malolactic fermentation. Aged in French oak barrels on lees with weekly stirring, 20% new, 80% neutral. Gently filtered and bottled after 6 months. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of lemon creme, yeast, chalk and oak cask lead off. Modest richness of citrus-driven flavor, slightly creamy in texture, finishing with good brightness, but with a hint of alcoholic warmth. Score: 89. Reviewed August 27, 2017 ARTICLE »
2016 DANCIN Mélange Southern Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., 135 cases, $32. Robert Young 17, Dijon 76, 15 and 809. Average harvest Brix 23.7º. Whole cluster pressed into French oak and stainless steel. Native yeast fermentation. No malolactic fermentation. Aged on lees with weekly stirring in 30% French oak barrels (17% new and 13% neutral) and 70% stainless steel for 6 months before gentle filtering and bottling. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. The nose leads with scents of lemon curd, white peach and straw. Vibrant, with richly flavored notes of grilled lemon, pear and white peach. Nicely balanced and easy to cozy up to. Score: 90. Reviewed August 27, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 DANCIN Écarté Oregon Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 132 cases, $37. Sourced from Aegrina Vineyard in the McMinnville AVA. Average harvest Brix 24.1º Pommard clone. After destemming, the grapes underwent a cold soak for up to 7 days. Native yeast fermentation, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 12.86% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Plenty to like in this middleweight wine with aromas of blackberry jam, spice box, beef jerky and warm brioche leading to flavors of sappy black cherry, dark chocolate and black tea. Impressive mouth presence and finish, with complimentary tannins and tucked in alcohol. Score: 93. Reviewed August 27, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 DANCIN Pas de Trois Oregon Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., 162 cases, $37. Sourced from DANCIN estate vineyard in Southern Oregon, and Hyland Vineyard and Aegrina Vineyard, both in the McMinnville AVA. Clone 777. After de-stemming, the grapes underwent a cold soak of up to 7 days. Native yeast fermentation, and aged 11 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 37.25% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Seductive aromas of fresh cherry, blueberry and toast. Light to mid weight flavors of red cherry and warm spices with a hint of oak and savory herbs. Smoothly textured, with gentle tannins, and a modest but pleasing finish. Score: 90. Reviewed August 27, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 DANCIN Plié Southern Oregon Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 138 cases, $37. Sourced from three of the seven original estate blocks. Clones 115 (7% whole cluster) and Pommard. After destemming, the fruit underwent a 7-day cold soak. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 11 months on lees in French oak barrels, 39.17% new. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Shy, but comfortable aromas of red cherry and red berry. Lighter styled and primarily red-fruited. Easygoing and rather simple with a silky mouthfeel. The tannins stick out a bit on the bright finish. The wine does perform better over time in the glass. Score: 89. Reviewed August 27, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 DANCIN Septette Southern Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 94 cases, $37. Sourced from the seven original blocks and seven originally planted clones: 114, 115, 667, 777, “828,” Pommard and Wädenswil 2A. After de-stemming the grapes were cold soaked for up to 7 days. Native yeast fermentation, aged on lees for 11 months in French oak barrels, 38.61% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose offers a pleasant combination of fruit (dark red cherry) and savory (herbs, underbrush) aromas. This wine has a prominent savory edge along with a mid weight core of vivid black cherry fruit. Noticeable tannins ply the background and show up modestly on the finish. Score: 91. Reviewed August 27, 2017 ARTICLE »
2012 DANCIN Vineyards “Chastinelle Reserve” Southern Oregon Chardonnay
13.7% alc., 100 cases, $30. A blend of five clones (Robert Young, Espiguette 352, Dijon 76, Wente and Draper) grown on the estate and neighboring Panner-Hanson Vineyard. Indigenous yeast fermentation, aged sur lie in a blend of neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel barrels. Weekly battonage. Aged 7 months. · Light golden straw color and clear in the glass. The nose is fresh and bright, with inviting aromas of lemon, peach and tropical fruits. Slightly creamy on the palate with vibrant flavors of lemon, pear and peach and a subtle accent of tropical fruits and oak in the background. A superb wine with excellent harmony, a gentle demeanor, and a good cut of refreshing acidity on the smooth, lemon drop-driven finish. Score: 94. Reviewed January 23, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 DANCIN Vineyards “Élevé” Barrel Select Southern Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 99 cases, $34. Named after a ballet movement in which you rise up high on to the balls of your feet relates to the grapes for this wine sourced from the estate’s highest elevation vineyard at nearly 2,000 feet. A blend of 777, Pommard and 115. 100% destemmed, fermented in small bins with indigenous yeast, aged 15 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black raspberry, black cherry and cigar box evolve slowly over time in the glass. Ripe-fruited and robust on the palate with sappy flavors of black cherry and black raspberry framed by firm but felty tannins and juicy acidity. Some of the black cherry fragrance returns to haunt the lengthy finish. Score: 90. Reviewed January 23, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 DANCIN Vineyards “Trata” Southern Oregon Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 150 cases, $34. Clones Wädenswil 2A, 114, 667 and “828.” 100% de-stemmed, indigenous yeast fermentation, aged 15 months in 44.44% new French oak barrels. · Moderate light black cherry color in the glass. A bit shy, but pleasing marriage of underbrush, red cherry, spice and oak aromas. Mid weight flavors of red cherries and berries with a subtle savory herb note in the background. Unobtrusive tannins, refreshing acidity and some finishing goodness. Two bottles tasted with consistent results. Score: 88. Reviewed January 23, 2015 ARTICLE »