2020 Inglenook Blancaneaux

Spicy and focused white wine, with depth and width to its flavours, strewn with slate, spliced white pear, peach pit and rosemary-studded stone fruit. Grippy and taut, showcasing just how well Rhone blends can work in the Napa climate. Winemaking and ageing in 60% stainless steel, 40% French oak, 22% new.

A blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne grown on the estate. Fermented and aged in a mix of stainless steel and French oak barrels with just 11% new. Subtle aromas currently, this wine will do well with plenty of air upon opening and a bit more time in bottle as well. There is a promise of more to come as it continues to evolve in bottle. Notes of white grapefruit pith, crushed lime blossom, a hint of melon and a bit of lychee are balanced with a savoury accent of sea salt. There is plenty of nuance here and an intriguing balance of richness with elegant presence, flesh on the palate yet tension and length. Nicely done. (ECB)

The latest release of the white wine, the 2020 Blancaneaux, boasts greater purity than the 2016, with gentle hints of crushed stone and pencil shavings accenting pear, melon, and citrus on the nose. Slightly fuller-bodied as well, it’s pleasantly silky in feel, finishing fine and long. The blend is a nearly equal 36% Viognier, 33% Marsanne, and 31% Roussanne, also split between stainless steel and French oak, and aged eight months on the lees prior to bottling.