Active greenish yellow. Grey chalky nose come out easily, cold rocks and early-morning grass and DG pathways. Light smoke and anise, herb store and new car with a wonderful buttery-almond playing against the high-note acidity.

What a lovely white wine. Utterly charming, sharp and quick-witted, I actually decanted it, as it felt like it was holding back and was just a little too delicate for a Rhone White. I don’t think this is particularly low ABV, and decanting helped bring all that rich pear and peach-blossom I figured was hiding in there. This thing quite explodes with some air.

In the mouth, viscosity is cut with sharp acidity which quite easily heads into heat. Along the way, sweet 7-Up citrus, liliquoi and dry banana bring full-roundness of fruit. The warmer it gets, the fatter it gets–big butter and melon opening to white pepper. Long rich finish tinged with a sketch of tannin. I like this wine just under 50 degrees.

2016 RIDEAU VINEYARD Roussanne Los Olivos District Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara County 15.1

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