Man oh man this wine is pretty. This wine hits all the notes and while it is made for aging, it is also begging to be consumed now because it is so delicious. On the nose find dried apricot, jasmine, beeswax, preserved Meyer lemon and kumquat with a deep long finish that feels like bathing in cut flowers.
This wine enjoyed a natural fermentation and was aged for 12 months in once used French oak barrels, with full Malolactic fermentation allowed to occur.
26 cases produced.
2020 At Ease Chenin Blanc, Napa Valley
$34.00
Ali and her partner are so freaking chill they can’t help but be niche. They are working towards a study of Chenin Blanc, which is a pretty chill grape, and single vineyard Chenin Blanc is a pretty niche project. They are thoughtful, well spoken and observant, yet what I really want to do is go surfing with them. Their passion is for the earth, and they work with family owned vineyards, so the farming is sustainable for the planet. They are solid community members, interested in growing and supporting their fellow winemakers and other small businesses in our community.
Hailing from the Loire Valley, Chenin carries high natural acidity which means it can be made into sparkling wine or dessert wine with equal success. It means it tastes great fresh from the press, and it also stands up to aging. Chenin also is very expressive of it’s terroir, like Chardonnay, so soil type really does impart different flavor profiles. I would watch for subsequent vintages of At Ease. They are clearly creating elegant and expressive wines, so keep your eye on these knockouts.