SOUTHERN / AMERICAN / PACIFIC WINE & SPIRITS® Zaca Mesa Z Blanc 2011 (Santa Ynez Valley, California) – [WE 90] – 6043147763871

Winemaking:

Each grape is hand-harvested and fermented separately in French oak barrels. Blending trials begin in January to assess each component and continue until April. Once the final blend is determined the separate lots are combined in tank and then placed back into neutral barrels to finish the aging process.

The Wine:

With the addition of three acres of Grenache Blanc to our vineyard in 2005, we realized the potential to craft a classic southern Rhône white blend. Each grape variety adds its own personality: Grenache Blanc brings notes of green apple and melons; Roussanne adds flavors of figs, honey and spice; and Viognier adds a layer of beautiful white flowers and stone fruits.

Our Z-Blanc displays bright aromas of golden apples, melon and honeyed spices. The palate shows great texture with tart stone fruits, mineral and toasty oak, leading to an extremely long finish.

90 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine:

“This blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier is, in a word, wonderful. While it’s dry and crisp, with a minerally edge, it’s fantastically ripe with oranges, apricots, peaches, limes and honey. So delicious, you just want to drink the whole bottle. — S.H. (12/1/2013)

Wine Spectator Magazine:
“Offers a mix of peach, melon and lemon notes, with crisp acidity and spice and floral details, revealing plenty of citrus zest accents on the finish. Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier. Drink now. 971 cases made.” – MW (3/31/2014)