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Notes

2017 / 2018 Petit Manseng

This crazy grape produces a Sauternes-style dessert wine in southern France in the regions of Jurançon and Pecherenc du Vic Bilh, a white wine appellation superimposed on Madiran, where I received my tutelage in postmodern winemaking techniques from my guru, Patrick Ducournau.

This obscure ancient grape of the Muscat tree is highly aromatic and achieves very high sugars while retaining exceptionally high acidity. It was treasured by the ancients because it stops fermenting while still sweet, producing a luscious dessert wine without the need for modern sterile filtration.

To enhance its aromatic richness and complexity, we fermented in the presence of Acacia wood chips to add a honeysuckle element to the nose and some tannin structure to the mouth. Each year we bottle two-thirds and return the rest to barrel for increased aged complexity before blending in the following year’s new wine.

Use it as you would a Sauternes, with chocolate mousse, strawberry shortcake, or just by itself. The French like it with half-shell oysters or duck foie gras.

100% Petit Manseng
33% 2017 Hidden Springs Vineyard, Alexander Valley
Harvested 20 October 2017
31.6 Brix
12.6 gm/L TA, pH 2.90
67% 2018 Novavine Nursey Vineyard, Yolo County
Harvested 1 October 2018
31.0 Brix
11.8 gm/L TA, pH 2.95
Fermentation techniques:
Anchor NT 116 yeast inoculum
60o F fermentation
1.0 g.L aromatic Acacia wood chips
Stopped at 8%RS and 13% alcohol
Elevage details:
3 weeks microbüllage pre ML
33% aged 18 months in neutral French oak
8% RS and 12.9% alcohol
Silkscreen 375 ml bottle designed by Monvera