Brilliant in appearance, the 2018 Blancaneaux shows complex aromas of white peach, clover honey and lychee fruit. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, refreshing and wellbalanced, building to a long, supple finish with lingering notes of minerality and lemon zest.

Produced since 1999 as a partner to Rubicon, Inglenook’s premier red wine, Blancaneaux is a blend of three estate-grown white Rhône varieties. Marsanne and Roussanne contribute body and minerality, while Viognier adds intense aromas of tropical fruits. These varieties are grown in vineyard blocks that enjoy full morning sun but are in the cooling shadow of Mount St. John by mid-afternoon.

The 2018 vintage will be remembered as one with a generous crop of excellent quality. Well-timed precipitation in March and April ensured an advantageous commencement of the growing season with slow, steady initial shoot growth. Budbreak in the vineyard blocks contributing to Blancaneaux was late, ending on April 18th. Bloom was complete by early June, as moderately warm temperatures led to a desirable fruit set for all white Rhône varieties. All fruit was harvested from September 5th through September 23rd, delivering ultra-high-quality fruit that retained ample natural acidity.

Appellation: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Ensemble: 38% Viognier 38% Marsanne 24% Roussanne