Lot 918 Clarksburg Chenin Blanc
Lot 918 2022 Clarksburg Chenin Blanc, is a fruit orchard in a glass. We wish we could tell you the source winery for this alluring white, but an NDA prevents us from spilling the beans. We can tell you the Chenin Blanc grapes for Lot 918 come from a sustainably-farmed single vineyard along a winding river delta in Clarksburg, an hour and a half east of Napa. This area is known for its hot summer weather and long growing season. Cool breezes flow along the delta to bring temperatures down at night during those summer months of heat in California’s Central Valley.
The Lot 918 is zesty and fresh, bursting out the gate with white flowers, lime blossoms, candied peach, and apricot cream. Open and expansive on entry, with waves of beautiful silken fruit that call to mind kiwi, apricots, poached pear, peach ring, and even a hint of watermelon rind.
Now that you’ve got the picture Lot 918, imagine this: you, with a chilled glass of this off-dry Chenin in hand, surrounded by an appetizer bar stocked with plump, ripe, juicy farmer’s market fresh strawberries with whipped cream and chocolate sauce for dipping. It’s the kind of scene we’ll be repeating every Friday night for the foreseeable future. Will you join us?
If you’re a fan of sparkling wine, you’ll find a friend in this off-white. It has a kiss of sweetness, but the acid tension is so present that the wine is seemingly dry. One whiff, and you’ll be picturing a lush fruit orchard after a gentle summer rain.
Watch as Chris Lafleur, Sommeliers Creed for Cameron Hughes walks us through a tasting of this Clarksburg Chenin Blanc.
Wine Tasting Video Highlights:
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:20 About Chenin Blanc
- 1:00 The nose of the wine
- 1:45 On the palate – Taste
- 2:43 Perfect Pairings
Lot 890 2021 Suisun Valley Viognier
Lot 890 2021 Suisun Valley Viognier comes to us from a high-end source winery in the Suisun Valley AVA which has been producing Viognier for over 4 decades – more so than almost any other winery in the state. Nestled between the Vaca and Coastal Mountain ranges, the picturesque Suisun Valley boasts a unique microclimate and diverse soils that contribute to the production of exceptional wines. Known for its cool maritime influences and warm, sunny days, its particularly well-suited for growing both Bordeaux and Rhône grape varieties like Viognier.
For those of you looking to diversify your whites selection for the Summer, look no further than this fantastically expressive varietal. The aromatics of Viognier are second to none thanks to naturally occurring high levels of terpenes (the compound that gives flowers their alluring scents). Additionally, when it goes through fermentation, that floral character is so stable that it doesn’t change, resulting in a wine that not only has a great fruit core, but a beautiful backbone of florality which keeps it fresh and lively on the nose and palate. We were only able to secure 100 cases of this gem, so grab a case or two quickly before it’s gone!
Lot 890 absolutely leaps out of the glass with beautiful aromatics of white flowers, mandarin oranges, and white blossoms underpinned by white peach and warm apricot. On the palate, that intoxicating florality is backed by stonefruit notes of peach, apricot, and lemon pith leading to a wonderfully fresh, mouthwatering finish. This is a wine to drink now and will pair exceptionally well with spicy Asian dishes, grilled or decadent seafood, or something light and playful like a summer salad with fresh-picked flowers.
Watch as Chris Lafleur, Sommeliers Creed for Cameron Hughes walks us through a tasting.
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