2007 was harmonious overall and as a result we find deliciously bright, filigreed fruit here - pale cherry, strawberry and a hint of sassafras. The botanical, hillside herb notes are in evidence adding a savory note reminiscent of wild Provencal plantings: lavender, rosemary and young fennel. Just about 12% of this Vin Gris is composed of traditional white Rhône varieties which add a surprising richness and foundation to this wine. The balance derives from the varieties included in our Rhône read more...2007 was harmonious overall and as a result we find deliciously bright, filigreed fruit here - pale cherry, strawberry and a hint of sassafras. The botanical, hillside herb notes are in evidence adding a savory note reminiscent of wild Provencal plantings: lavender, rosemary and young fennel. Just about 12% of this Vin Gris is composed of traditional white Rhône varieties which add a surprising richness and foundation to this wine. The balance derives from the varieties included in our Rhône blend, Le Cigare Volant, and our Central Coast Syrah. We obtain juice from these grapes via saigner, or “bleeding”, a modest volume of our freshly processed grenache, syrah, and cinsault. By bleeding a small amount of juice off our red musts, we concentrate the flavor and color in the red components. The juice which is bled off is delicately pale in color, though effusively perfumed of the fruit, floral and botanical essences of the grape from which it is extracted. There is no more sublimely delicious fermenting wine to taste than a clean rosé. Only as the wine approaches dryness do the savory and spicy elements so critical to tonal and spatial completeness of the wine appear. After assembling all of the lots selected for the wine, we will usually add a small dollop of additional red wine to bring the final blend into carmine compliance. (hide)