Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Grenache Blanc is bursting with refreshing aromas of orange blossom, jasmine and white peach followed by sweet candied ginger and vanilla notes. Plump and rich with flavors of Meyer lemon, green apple and Asian pear which are rounded out by a hint of pie crust, vanilla and a long mineral finish.
Best when served chilled, this wine can be paired with a wide variety of foods, especially richly spiced dishes. Savor with tempura shrimp, broiled lobster, garlic chicken or a roasted pork shoulder.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Tightly woven on the nose, this wine has aromas of wet cement, tangerine flesh and hints of lanolin. The palate is taut and pithy with citrus and wet clay flavors, proving highly textural and long lasting.
Producing full-bodied white wines, Grenache Blanc can be unctuous and soft or floral and fresh. Some of the finest examples are terroir-driven, age-worthy wines. It is a key ingredient in white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and many white blends across southern France and NE Spain. Somm Secret—Grenache Blanc plays a key role in the vins doux naturels of Rivesaltes and a subsidiary role in those of Banyuls and Maury.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.