The riper aspects of Chenin Blanc show through on the Au Revoir 2020. Stands to reason as the vines live below Calistoga’s Palisades rock formation. Put away your Loire Valley comparisons as it’s apples and oranges, as it were. Northern Napa Valley warmth resulting in 14% alcohol, aging in neutral oak for 17 months makes for a completely different wine than an exceptional Vouvray. That stated, check out and enjoy this wine.
From start to finish and in between I get softened pears, honeysuckle, cantaloupe melon. And lemon zest – some fresh, some candied. Nice creamy texture – all curves, no knees nor elbows here. Juicy. Life-supporting acidity. A crowd-pleaser that is as comfortable at a pool party as at a nice restaurant in the hands of fancy somm. At 40 cases made, needless to say it won’t be around for long.
