Winemaker Notes
Blend: 47% Grenache Blanc, 23% Marsanne, 17% Roussanne 9% Viognier, 4% Picpoul Blanc
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 White Blend M5 is a gorgeous, highly expressive white from Doug Margerum. This blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Picpoul works so well, as the varieties are wonderfully complementary. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint, chamomile and light pastry notes build effortlessly.
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Wine Enthusiast
A light color in the glass, this blend of 47% Grenache Blanc, 23% Marsanne, 17% Roussanne, 9% Viognier and 4% Picpoul Blanc shows crips aromas of apple, lime and ash on the zesty and vibrant nose. There's an intense grip to the sip, where citrus and pome fruit flavors stay sprightly and fun.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 M5 White checks in as 45% Grenache Blanc, 21% Marsanne, and the rest Viognier, Roussanne, and Picpoul Blanc that's all from estate fruit in the Los Olivos District of Santa Barbara. Its medium gold hue is followed by a solid perfume of honeyed peach, ripe citrus, and sappy herbs, with a kiss of background minerality. It's clean, medium-bodied, has a balanced mouthfeel, and outstanding length.
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.