2019 White Wine Distenta I

Pale to medium lemon-gold colored, the 2019 White Wine Distenta I needs a fair bit of swirling to release fragrant notes of lemongrass, white peaches, fresh pears, and spice cake, leading to hints of grapefruit oil and coriander seed. Full-bodied, the palate is compellingly restrained, featuring a seductive creaminess to the texture and seamless freshness to frame the elegant honey-laced stone fruit layers, finishing long with a citrusy lift.

The 2019 White Wine Distenta I is a blend of 41% Roussanne, 26% Chardonnay, 14% Petit Manseng, 12% Viognier, and 7% Gelber Muskateller—a variety of muscat having “good acidity and density,” according to Manfred Krankl. “We use muscat for the aromatics.”

The vineyard sources are 46% from Eleven Confessions, 32% from Cumulus, and 7% from The Third Twin—all estate vineyards—with 15% Chardonnay from the Bien Nacido Vineyard (this is the last vintage to use non-estate fruit). The wine was fermented in barrel and matured on its lees for about 23 months in 64% new French oak barrels, mainly puncheons, and demi-muids. 824 cases and 150 magnums were made. (The Wine Independent/98/100)