2023 Fine Disregard Wine Co. Chalone Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Gavilan Mountain Range, USA Lalu and bounding with a just-pied-in-the-face

and bounding with a just-pied-in-the-face frisson of big blackberry energy

but the style skews toward a high-corn

The wine was aged for two years in concrete and then for just under one year in bottle before release

after which the wines are moved to mostly used American oak barrels (about one out of eight new)

It’s a GREAT combination

2023 Fine Disregard Wine Co. Chalone Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Gavilan Mountain Range, USA Lalu and bounding with a just-pied-in-the-faceThe Chalone Chenin Blanc is sourced from vines planted in 1919 in a rare mix of limestone and decomposed granite in the Gabilan Mountains at 1800 feet in elevation. Extreme early season frost dramatically reduced the yields in the old vines (the block cropped out at a scant 0. 74 tons acre). But a wine that could've gone off the rails in its intensity feels more refined this vintage showing off layers of bright orchard fruit and fine grained tannins.