The Middleton family focuses on estate fruit in the southern reaches of the Walla Walla Valley for its vaunted red program, but they wisely source from cooler sites in the Columbia Valley for this white Bordeaux blend that remains among the Northwest’s most delicious. It’s a 2-to-1 blend of Sauvignon Blanc with Sèmillon from vineyards such as the Ancient Lakes (Frenchman Hills), Yakima Valley (Art den Hoed) and Charbonneau (Walla Walla County). There’s no oak involved during the month of fermentation to dryness, but there was some surlie aging, which is revealed on the rounded mouth feel on the entry. Bright aromas of gooseberry pie, Granny Smith apple and lime burst through on the midpalate and finish, which comes with a blend of fresh fig and lemon pith.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 3,000 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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