2014 Lion's Share

This white blend consists of 25% Viognier, 25% Marsanne, 25% Picpoul Blanc, 18% Roussanne, and 7% Grenache Blanc. Estate grown in Santa Clara Valley.

This is a complex wine, with many things going on both on the nose and the palate. Initially, fresh, wet grass dominates on the nose, which then becomes a honeyed grapefruit with light rose undertones. The grassy notes continue on the palate, along with green apple, pink grapefruit and a bit of juniper berry at the end, giving a nice balance to the wine. The finish carries the grapefruit and juniper notes through, but becomes very creamy in the mouth creating a delightful sensation what would pair beautifully with a plate of Brie, Camenbert, and ripe apples, or also with pasta with light cream sauce, such as Linguine with White Clam Sauce.

All varietals were hand harvested and whole cluster pressed. The Viognier was harvested September 3, Roussanne on September 4, Marsanne on September 25, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc September 26. Malolactic fermentation, lightly oaked with new French oak (10%), and aged sur lie with mild mixing of the fine lees (batonnage). Blended winter 2014, and filtered and bottled in June 2015.