Winemaker Notes
Pair this Blanc with spicy Thai dishes, fish dishes, or chilled shellfish.
Blend: 65% Grenache Blanc, 35% Roussanne.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 65% Grenache Blanc and 35% Roussanne, Tensley's 2014 Camp Four Vineyard Blanc is a Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc lookalike that offers knockout richness in its apple blossom, pear, white flower and crushed rock-laced bouquet. These characteristics also show on the palate and this full-bodied, balanced white has excellent mid-palate depth, nicely integrated acidity and clean, dry finish. Like many Rhone whites, it has the freshness and complexity to drink nicely on its own, yet also the richness and depth to be incredibly food friendly on the dinner table. I'd drink it over the coming couple of years, but this cuvee can age gracefully as well.
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Wine Spectator
Fresh and bright, offering a terrific mix of fleshy, juicy mango and melon flavors, lingering with citrus notes and white flowers. Intense and focused, finishing with a pop of acidity. Grenache Blanc and Roussanne.
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.
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.