Winemaker Notes
A powerful, rich white wine just beginning to evolve into its prime. On the nose, the gun-smoke reduction is married to the toasty second fill French Oak granting a ton of depth under the bright citrus fruit. On the palate the wine is both expansive and razor sharp with lively zipping acidity. Certainly next level, it is exciting to see the Chenin Blanc program evolving so quickly.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This Chenin Blanc is unlike most other white wines, and watching it evolve over the years in the cellar is an aesthetic adventure. Unique aromas of petrol meet with fresh citrus blossoms on the nose, while the palate pops with struck flint and richer lemon curd flavors. Drink now
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
Accounting for only ten percent of the greater Santa Ynez AVA, Ballard Canyon’s north-south orientation provides an ideal pattern of sunshine and martime fog for producing excellent Syrah. While Syrah is planted to half of the total AVA acreage, an additional third is dedicated to other Rhône varieties, red and white.