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Item Number: 6588
UPC: None
Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Santa Barbara
Appellation/AVA: Santa Ynez Valley
Vineyard Designation: Honea Vineyard
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): Arneis
Type: Wine - White
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14
Soil Type: Sandy, alluvial soil
About the Grape: How can one resist opening a bottle of wine whose varietal name translates to “whimsical”? Arneis is an ancient grape that hails from the Roero hills of Italy’s Piemonte region. Also translated as “rascally” or “a little crazy,” Arneis has a reputation of being a difficult and ornery grape to grow — one that will first test the patience of the grower and then the winemaker. But behind willfulness often lies artistic genius, and so it is with Arneis’ impetuous nature.
About the Vineyard: Palmina’s Arneis is grown at the Honea Vineyard in the “Los Olivos District” of the Santa Ynez Valley, and that vineyard features rolling hills, sandy alluvial soils and warm sunny days followed by cool and crisp evenings. Meticulous farming and careful crop management adds to this equation for “the taming of the grape.”
Winemaking Notes: Once delivered to the winery, the golden clusters are pressed to a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak, where each fermented naturally with indigenous yeast. Malolactic fermentation was neither encouraged nor inhibited during the year long aging process. To further marry flavors and textures, capricious Arneis was bottle aged for an additional six months prior to release.
Tasting Notes: A light straw color with burnished highlights of gold foretells of 2011 Arneis’ vibrant character. An alluring floral nose of acacia and chamomile that mingle with hints of apple and sandalwood waft from the glass with a swirl. Medium bodied, Arneis envelopes the palate with just tree-picked pear flavor and texture, then refreshes with apricot and clementine and a long and lingering spice component of fennel and tea. This is a persistent wine, rich in body, layered in texture and with an exotic mélange of stone fruits, minerality and spice that finishes with a reminder of perfectly baked Madeleines.
Food Pairings: Arneis is a delightful aperitif, but also a wine with enough body and personality to hold its own with a wide range of strongly flavored food – prosciutto, pesto, grilled seafood. Arneis is also a white wine that will continue to evolve with a few years of cellar aging. Serve just chilled.
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