Today we share one of the most intriguing brands of the Napa Valley. It is hard to believe that Massican was founded all the way back in 2009. The brand is the brainchild of innovator and winemaker Dan Petroski, who sought to make old-world inspired white wines in the Napa Valley where Cabernet is unabashedly king. These wines continue to be affordably priced, where entry level Chardonnays in Napa command 100 dollars and sometimes more. For years Dan made world-class wines at Larkmead which rivaled some of the finest wines of the region — at a fraction of the price of cult competitors.
These wines have been impressive regardless of vintage. It is no surprise that Dan sold his winery to Gallo in September 2023. This is going to be an electric brand for them. Look to the gorgeous 2023 Massican ‘Gemina’ White Wine (OB,94) which is a stunning combination of indigenous Italian varietals, mainly Greco. This is a truly unique, world-class wine. Learn more about these novel, one of a kind wines at massican.com Here are my reviews of the gorgeous new Massican wines.
2023 Massican Pinot Grigio- The 2023 Massican Pinot Grigio is very light on its feet with its kiwi, gooseberry, stony minerals and green papaya flavors. Soft and showing good tension, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2024-2028- 92
2023 Massican Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc comes from sites in both Sonoma and Napa. And is inspired by the wines of Friuli. This opens with white grapefruit and nectarine skin notes alongside sweetened gooseberry and shades of kiwi, with white tea accents. The palate is soft and refined with serious texture and good verve. Showing good length, this beautiful wine is best consumed now and over the next few years to come. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2023 Massican ‘Gemina’ White Wine- The 2022 ‘Gemina’ is a unique blend of 60% Greco with the remainder Falanghina as well as Fiano. The name is inspired by an ancient varietal that dates back to the first century AD, called Aminea Gemina. This is a gorgeous wine with plenty of nutty tones alongside Japanese pear, walnut and shades of lychee. Medium to full-bodied with a smooth texture, I can’t think of another wine like this in the new world. Drink 2024-2031- 94
2023 Massican ‘Annia’ White WIne- The 2023 ‘Annia’ is an astonishingly good combination of Tocai Friulano (43%", Ribolla Gialla (34%), and Chardonnay (23%). Lightly colored in the glass, this delivers nutty aromatics alongside cantaloupe, green apple and shades of pie crust. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth mouthfeel and good sense of verve. Really well-done albeit a bit leaner than other vintages, enjoy now and over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 Massican ‘Hyde’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Hyde’ Chardonnay is a stunning new bottling from this famed site in the Carneros region founded by Larry Hyde back in 1979. This is beautifully textured stuff that comes off nicely salty. Pear, peach and shades of mango all combine on the palate, with good viscosity and tension. Medium to full-bodied with great finesse, this is somehow drinking beautifully already. Drink 2023-2031- 94