Winemaker Notes
As with past vintages, this bright, aromatic wine is made up of a blend of white Rhône varietals. This wine is based primarily in Viognier then blended it with Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and, for the very first time, Marsanne to add complexity and freshness. A portion of the wine was aged in neutral French oak barrels while the rest aged in a stainless steel tank. Look for honeysuckle, ripe citrus, and banana on the nose and palate, along with a rounded mouthfeel and a lingering finish that shows notes of fresh peaches and pears.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
I love the white from this label, which is made by Joey Tensley. The 2020 White Wine is 50% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc, 15% Marsanne, and the rest Roussanne, and it delivers loads of stone and quince-like fruits as well as medium to full body, a soft, plump mouthfeel, and outstanding honeysuckle and brioche notes. It reminds me of a Northern Rhône white and should be enjoyed over the coming year or so.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Fundamental White has a perfume of white peaches, honeysuckle and musk with touches of white pepper. The palate is fresh and floral with inviting yellow fruits, a gently rounded texture and long finish. This will be great with food, but it drinks well on its own.
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.
The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.
Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.
While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.