Clos Saron, Carte Blanche, Sierra Foothills

Wasn’t quite sure what to make of it at the first pour. An odd mix of fruit, tanginess, and a distinct quality that didn't seem like wine. It grew on me enough to finish the bottle. When I was with Gideon (the winemaker) this past summer, I tasted and brought home two bottles of 2021. I guess I liked it enough to bring some home. TBD if the 2021 is like the 202.

I found this cleaning out the garage. I don’t know how it got there. Been there a while. It was gone.

Salty on the nose, wild and funky, not really quite wine to me if yet an interesting beverage. Tastes nutritious notes one taster. Kinda looks like nutritional yeast as well. And some VA in there to boot.

Unfiltered white wine leads with citrus and tropical fruit, but without any zip or tartness. Some oak in the middle, comes off creamy, and the real surprise is the orange juice finish. Great funky, natural yeast.

OK+. Generally crunchy orange wine, though color was lighter than texture unfolded to be. Really nothing particular to say.

This was pretty good. It was crisp, and stony, with white stone fruit perceptions.

Initially I thought this bottle might have been a bit off - had a soft cork (though solid wax and no signs of leakage), a slightly oxidized quality, and generally not the freshness I recall - however, it seems consistent with the most recent note below; Overall, still not a bad bottle, just lacking the freshness I was looking for

(13.5%) 51% Roussanne, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 7% Viognier, 7% Chardonnay – The last rendition of this one from the Sierra Foothills as the vineyard burned down shortly after harvest (the Carte Blanc is now made from Lodi fruit). This one is medium bodied with nice white/green fruit and spiced acidity. Nice depth and texture here, slightly oily (and oxidized) with a nutty finish. Seems to evolve by the minute with air. A very interesting wine. Too bad I didn’t get …

Nice and refreshing saline soaked peaches.

SF Vintners Market: Report on 27 Producers (Fort Mason Festival Pavillon, San Francisco, California) : Tart lime, green fruit nose; tart green fruit, green apple, lime palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish 88+ points (blend of Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay)

Impressive showing for this. At the last Clos Saron dinner we did the youngest Carte Blanche tasted oxidized and sherry-like, but that's not the case here, with the fruit bright and totally pure. I love the scent, which has this salty, briney, oceanwater thing going on that carries through to the back end which seems to positively sparkle with freshness. The mouthfeel of the wine is almost oily with its body and gloss but at the same time as you …

Shows tart fruit and freshly cut herbs (esp. chive and thyme) characteristics on the nose and palate both. Quite dry, with zesty acidity, a tender but well-defined body, and smooth-ribbed minerality. Sauvignon Blanc (38%), Viognier (27%), Chardonnay (19%), and Roussanne (16%). 13.2% abv