Winemaker Notes
Aromas of apricots, white florals, sweet honey with hints of brioche toast and tropical fruits. Flavors of apple and a touch of peach nectar engage with the bright acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Subtle aromas of chalk, lemon pith, nectarine and chilled pineapple show on the nose of this blend of 47% Grenache Blanc, 23% Marsanne, 17% Roussanne, 9% Viognier and 4% Picpoul Blanc. There's a firm line of acidity and persistent chalky texture to the palate, where rounded flavors of stone fruits and coconut flesh make for a delicate yet expressive sip. — Matt Kettmann
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 M5 White (47% Grenache Blanc, 23% Marsanne, 17% Roussanne, and the rest Viognier and Picpoul Blanc) is a solid, Southern Rhône-like blend revealing plenty of peach and tangerine-like fruits as well as some floral and honeyed toast nuances. It's balanced, vibrant, and racy on the palate, yet still brings good richness and depth.
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Vinous
The 2020 White M5 is a crisp, dry Rhône white blend to drink now and over the next few years. Citrus peel, mint, jasmine and white pepper are beautifully delineated. The M5 is a bit bracing in its youthful austerity, but that's a big part of the house style, especially in the whites.
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Wine Spectator
Vibrant, fresh and expressive, with steely lime, honeydew and lemon verbena flavors that dance on the refreshing finish. Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Picpoul.
Full-bodied and flavorful, white Rhône blends originate from France’s Rhône Valley. Today these blends are also becoming popular in other regions. Typically some combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier form the basis of a white Rhône blend with varying degrees of flexibility depending on the exact appellation. Somm Secret—In the Northern Rhône, blends of Marsanne and Roussanne are common but the south retains more variety. Marsanne, Roussanne as well as Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picpoul and Ugni Blanc are typical.
Today it is an integral part of the greater Santa Barbara County wine region, but at one time the village, Los Olivos, was a stop on the Wells Fargo stagecoach line.