Bob Bertheau and white winemaker David Rosenthal are doing some of Washington state’s top work in spotlighting this Loire Valley grape, and their comparatively small-lot work with Chenin Blanc from their 34-year-old Horse Heaven Vineyard is beautiful. They refer to this as their “melon-style wine,” and it’s brimming with tones of honeydew melon and starfruit, starting with the nose that also includes pear, Moroccan mint tea and sugar cane. Picking in mid-September – two weeks earlier than has been tradition – allows them to present an abundant brightness as flavors of Meyer lemon, Ginger Gold apple and melon are pushed along by delicious spritzy acidity. There’s just a tiny drop of sweetness (0.8% residual sugar), making this ideal with chicken, goat cheese, halibut steaks or mussels.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 250 cases
Alcohol: 13%
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