2012 WEI CHI "LUCHSINGER VINEYARD" SEMILLON, LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
A great discovery from a talented young winemaker in California! This
100% single-vineyard naturally produced Semillon from the Luchsinger
Vineyard in Lake County, California is so fresh, racy and bright, you
would never guess it hails from the hills just northeast of Napa Valley.
However, a closer look at a map will reveal that this
particular area near Clear Lake is protected by the Mayacamas Range to
the west and further shielded by Mount Konocti, an extinct volcano, to
the east. What makes this terroir particularly exciting, however, is
that this also happens to be the second-largest geothermal area in the
United States after Yellowstone. Who knew? The unique micro-climate and
volcanic, mineral-rich soils make ideal conditions for the production of
structured, serious Semillon that can stand the test of time.
To preserve the
fruit's natural character, it was hand-harvested and first gently
crushed by foot, then pressed. Fermentation by native yeasts took place
in stainless steel, reaching a naturally low alcohol of 11.4% ABV. This
crisp white the perfect pairing for oysters, shellfish and
crustacean--its vibrant acidity and minerality brilliantly highlights
fresh-from-the-sea aromas and flavors--but it also has the body and
structure to complement fleshier fish and other white meats like chicken
and pork, too. Try it as an alternative to Muscadet, Saugivnon Blanc or
unoaked Chardonnay for a gourmet twist.
*Winemaker to Watch* A native of Australia, where the production of Semillon has a long and celebrated tradition, winemaker Erin Pooley started making wine in 2007 and has since burst onto the California natural wine scene as a winemaker to watch. For Pooley, winemaking is in a constant state of evolution, "no vintage will be the same as the last, the wines will never be finished. We (and the wines) are in a constant state of change." It makes sense, then, that the name of her label is "Wei Chi," inspired after the ancient Chinese concept from the "I Ching" which can be translated to mean "before completion." Pooley is currently working exclusively with Semillon from Luchsinger Vineyards, a Lake County gem that is the (increasingly less) secret source for a number of high profile vintners including Arnot-Roberts and whose cuttings have been recently sought after by Jason Lett of the Eyrie Vineyard in Oregon and Tegan Passalaqua, the winemaker at Turley Cellars and a leading scholar of old California vineyards, to plant and/or graft over existing vines.
*Winemaker to Watch* A native of Australia, where the production of Semillon has a long and celebrated tradition, winemaker Erin Pooley started making wine in 2007 and has since burst onto the California natural wine scene as a winemaker to watch. For Pooley, winemaking is in a constant state of evolution, "no vintage will be the same as the last, the wines will never be finished. We (and the wines) are in a constant state of change." It makes sense, then, that the name of her label is "Wei Chi," inspired after the ancient Chinese concept from the "I Ching" which can be translated to mean "before completion." Pooley is currently working exclusively with Semillon from Luchsinger Vineyards, a Lake County gem that is the (increasingly less) secret source for a number of high profile vintners including Arnot-Roberts and whose cuttings have been recently sought after by Jason Lett of the Eyrie Vineyard in Oregon and Tegan Passalaqua, the winemaker at Turley Cellars and a leading scholar of old California vineyards, to plant and/or graft over existing vines.
2012 WEI CHI "LUCHSINGER VINEYARD" SEMILLON, LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Regular: $20.99
This Week: $18.89
* Special pricing is valid thru Tuesday 1/26/16 while supplies last. Discount
for web orders will be applied when order is processed. Orders are
processed on first-come basis and shipped to specified shipping address
unless otherwise noted. No further discounts apply.
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