2017 Inglenook Blancaneaux

40% Viognier, 32% Marsanne, 28% Roussanne. Rainfall in winter and spring was bountiful, totalling nearly 1,270 mm (50 inches). While the winery’s white Rhône varieties bloomed relatively late, periods of considerable summer heat accelerated ripeness, leading to a normal harvest schedule. The Viognier blocks were low yielding, which allowed them to ripen on time with superb concentration. Harvest 26 August to 8 September. Ripe peach and beeswax on the nose. Plump and tropical on the palate but still retaining enough freshness through acidity. Rounded but not excessive. (TP)

The already bottled 2017 Blancaneaux is a blend of 44% Roussanne, 30% Viognier and 26% Marsanne. It features notions of baked pears, waxy lemons and warm white peaches with touches of allspice and fennel seed in the background. The medium-bodied palate offers a lovely suggestion of oiliness to the texture with a lively backbone and long spicy finish. 704 cases produced.