Tasting Notes This ripe, full fruited blend of classic white Rhône grapes shows a distinct bouquet of fresh apples and tree fruit blossoms with bold, supple fruit flavors on the palate and a structure of moderate acidic balance.

Wine Maker Notes Because the grapes of the white vines matures at different rates, they must be gathered in stages. Particular care is required in timing of harvest and subsequent vinification in this hot climate to preserve the freshness and vigor of the fruit. A hand harvested is carried out in three separate passes through the vineyard. Grenache and Roussane mature first, followed by Clairette and Picpoul, and finally by Bourboulenc. Each variety is pressed separately and the must allowed to settle for 30 hours at 12°C (54°F), although some experimentation is underway with "macération pelliculaire," or skin contact, for Roussane and Clairette. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel over the period of a month at 15° to 16°C (59° to 62°F), with a slight elevation in temperature at the end of fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve the crispness and acidity of the wine. The blend is assembled, followed by a light filtration, and the finished wine bottled in January.

Technical Notes GRAPE VARIETIES: 40% Grenache Blanc,25% Bourboulenc, 20% Clairette,10% Roussane,5% Picpoul MAXIMUM YIELD: 35 hl/ha (157 cases/acre) MINIMUM ALCOHOL: 12.5% MINIMUM SUGAR: 225 grams