2011 Sonoma County "The Derivative" White Wine
66% Sonoma Valley Semillon, Monte Rosso Vineyard
24% Sonoma Valley Muscadelle, Pagani Ranch
10% Russian River Valley Palomino, Saitone Ranch
The second Derivative! (Sorry, couldn’t resist the math pun. ;-) This year’s rendition adds a new third component – Palomino, also known as Golden Chasselas. The source of our Palomino is the 118 year-old vines interplanted amongst the Zinfandel at Saitone Ranch in the Russian River Valley. Combined with 66% Semillon from Monte Rosso (planted 1886) and 24% Muscadelle from Pagani Ranch (planted 1920), this is truly a modern day derivative of Hock, a California white wine popular over a century ago.
Tasting Note:
Pale white-gold. Pungent aromas of white grapefruit, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and a hint of vanilla. Very expressive with the Semillon currently taking center stage. The wine glides smoothly across the palate as flavors of citrus and quinine weave in and out of the silken texture. A bit less zippy than the 2010 but still more than enough acidity to keep the palate refreshed. Drink from release through 2015, perhaps longer given Semillon’s proclivity for aging. (MRO – 07/18/13)