2021 Estate Cuveé Blanc • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

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2021

Cuvée Blanc

Wild Oak Vineyard

Sonoma Valley

Tasting Notes

Adorned with brilliant tropical notes of pineapple, gooseberry, and melon, the enchanting bouquet of this versatile floral white draws you in again and again. Soft layers of fresh vanilla bean lead you to a supple mouth feel branching across the pallet, showcasing a quenching fruit structure. Citrus accents mark the elevated acidity, framed by tangy apricot notes in the finish.

Vintage Notes

Our 2021 harvest began just a little earlier than last year, with the first fruit picked on August 18. Limited rainfall during the growing season produced slightly lighter crops but brought intense, concentrated flavor and color. Free from lingering heat waves, the consistent weather during the summer months helped maintain fruit acidity for brightness and balance. Harvest continued through the middle of October when we picked the last red grapes from our estate Lagomarsino Vineyard.

Vineyard Notes

While Viognier is ready to be picked in the summertime, Marsanne & Rousanne are notoriously late-ripening varieties that typically don’t hit their peak until early Fall. For this reason, the Mars/Rous are picked together & co-fermented in the same stainless steel tank to meld aromas & flavors together. VG is fermented separately. Both tanks are fermented cold at 55 F until flavors & acidity have balanced out, at which point they are barreled down for élevage.

Winemaker Notes

Naturally flavorful off the vine, the grapes for this cuvée (French for blend) are picked in the early morning hours to retain their delicate flavors and aromas and sent immediately to press. The Viognier goes into a tank by itself while the Roussanne and Marsanne are co-fermented. After a slow, cool fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks, The final blend is put together during tasting trials after at least 8 months of aging in neutral barrels.