Winemaker Notes
50% Grenache Gris, 50% Grenache Blanc. The varieties were pressed together and cofermented in older, neutral barrels, 100% malolactic, no addition of bentonite, and bottled without filtration. What is most noteworthy about this wine, apart from its distinctive, quasi-saline quality and persistence on the palate, is the level of natural acidity, even post-malo. (The climate of Popelouchum very closely approximates that of the Roussillon, windy and rather cool in the evening.) While eminently drinkable now, this wine will continue to evove for years to come.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A 50/50 blend of Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, the 2021 Blanc (Grenaches) is reminiscent of a hypothetical white Rhône blend by way of Chablis. Immediately intriguing and singular on the nose, it combines Meyer lemon, kumquat, bergamot and white flowers, all pitted against a saline-tinged backdrop. The palate is exceptionally vibrant and tensile, with a flashy, beautiful lift and energy leading through a succulent, stony, clear finish that avoids
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
Taking advantage of the cool Pacific breezes that arrive via gaps between the Gabilan Range and the Santa Lucia Mountains, San Benito AVA is a great Central coast source for cool climate whites and Pinot noir.