Winemaker Notes
As with past vintages, this bright, aromatic wine is made up of a blend of white Rhône varietals. Tensley based this wine primarily in Viognier then blended it with Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Marsanne to add complexity, acidity 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 citrus and banana on the nose and palate, along with a rounded mouthfeel and crisp, fresh finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Fundamental White is loaded with fresh red and green apple, lemon peel, beeswax and jasmine aromas. The palate is light-bodied, rounded and wonderfully refreshing with a long, floral finish. This drinks wonderfully on its own but will be great for the table. Best After 2022
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.