Foxen Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2018
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Dunnuck
Jeb
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of dried apple and pear, orange peel, elder- flower and beach sand show on the nose of this tasty white wine. There’s an extremely textural tone of grapefruit pith on the palate, with a warmer hint of blanched almond as well.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Lots of spice, dried herbs, white flowers, and lemon curd-like notes emerge from the 2018 Chenin Blanc Old Vines Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard. This beauty is medium-bodied and has a wonderful texture, bright acidity, and a clean, juicy finish. It's going to shine on the dinner table.
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2021-
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Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
A lesser-known but elite AVA within the larger Santa Barbara district, the Santa Maria Valley AVA runs precisely west to east starting near the coast. The valley funnels cool, Pacific Ocean air to the vineyards more inland, allowing grapes a longer hang time to ripen evenly and achieve their full potential by harvest time. Combined with minimal rainfall, consistent warm sunshine, and well-drained soils, it is an ideal environment for grape growing.
Many of the wineries here are small and highly respected, having established a reputation in the 1970s and 80s for producing excellent Central Coast wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. More recently, Syrah has also proven quite successful in the region. Many vineyards are owned by growers who sell their grapes to other wineries, so it is common to see the same vineyard name on bottlings from different wineries. Bien Nacido Vineyard is perhaps the best-known and most prestigious.