2020-C Skinner Vineyards Grenache Blanc, El Dorado, California (750ml)
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A Monthly Wine Club Selection
100% Grenache Blanc, the grapes were cold pressed as individual lots. The juice saw no sulfur, allowing for a “brown-out” process to take place. The oxidation of the juice over the course of several days and subsequent racking-off of gross lees encouraged any harsh, bitter phenolics to drop out, yielding softer, clarified juice. The fermentation took place in a combination of Concrete Tank (56%), French Oak (34%) and stainless steel (10%). The resulting wine was aged for 3 months sur lies before undergoing a gentle filtration before being bottled.
Skinner Vineyards was founded in 2007 by Mike and Carey Skinner after their son, Kevin, made an interesting discovery about his ancestors one day driving back from Lake Tahoe. Kevin and his wife were following a different route home when they noticed the name Skinner on an old map near the town of Placerville. After a little detective work, they learned that Mike was the great-great-great grandson of James Skinner, a Scottish miner who established one of the first wineries in the area back in 1861. Once they realized the extent of James’ enterprising influence in the region, they decided to “buy property, plant vines and reclaim the family legacy.”
As they embarked on this new venture, they decided to champion the grapes of the Rhône Valley in France, and planted their vineyards to most of them, including Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul. As a tribute, they also planted the classic varietals from James’ era (Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Mission), paying homage to James and re-establishing the Skinner name anew in El Dorado County.
Pale straw-yellow hue. Subtle aromas of pear mingled with mineral notes. The palate shows a delicious mix of floral notes, lemon meringue, apple sauce, yellow plum, and a touch of salinity on the finish