Marchelle Old Vine Colombard | 2023

If you think California can’t make high-wired mineral bomb whites, think again. This Old Vine Colombard from vine whisperer, Greg La Follette, is from two historic Russian River Valley sites—Betty Ann Vineyard, planted in 1902, and Wes Cameron Ranch, planted in the1950s. With less than 100 cases produced, it’s a time-warp into California’s heritage Colombard, a one-time workhouse grape, prized for bulk wine and brandy production. But, when treated with precision, Colombard has a charming personality like a Muscadet — Meyer lemon, green citrus, white flowers and a saline finish that makes you pucker, in a good way. ~Allegra Angelo