Combe Chenin Blanc 2022

Our partner in the Combe brand, Rajat Parr, was inspired to plant Chenin Blanc while traversing the Limestone hills of the Loire River Valley writing his book, The Atlas of Taste. Winemakers there taught Raj that in order to make rich and substantial Chenin Blanc, one must wait until the grapes turn from green to yellow.  Upon his return to California, Rajat exhaustively searched throughout the state for Chenin Blanc that yellowed. He finally found an old-vine site where winemaker Tegan Passalacqua reported the grapes turned color.From the very first vintage in 2017, we saw yellow Chenin clusters.  Rajat, eager to take advantage of prowess of La Cuadrilla, asked if we could harvest yellow clusters immediately, leaving the clusters still green, hanging on the vine. By picking in multiple passes, we obtain the richness of the yellow fruit before acidity drops out.
Cold and windy conditions in the spring, combined with a second consecutive year of drought, led to a small crop with bursting flavor concentration. We forecasted a late harvest until a Labor Day heat wave sped ripening up across the board. Just as the heatwave started on September 3rd, we passed through the Chenin and picked any clusters already yellowed.  We then waited until September 19th, once the vines had recovered and the remaining clusters yellowed, to finish the Chenin harvest.
Preserved lemon and chewy citrus candy over crunchy flint. Rich, and heady texture backed by an assertive backbone interlaced with smoke. Touches of pear juice, tingling sweet yet still popping a bright, flashy smile. A ton of heart and soul with a carbon frame carrying effortless confidence and the authority of a powerful, noble classic.