TENUTA BIANCA
A barrel sample and the very first vintage, the 2023 Tenuta Bianca Estate White Blend is from a field blend of plantings and is impressively complex, medium-bodied, and seductive in salty mineral and lemon rind. The grapes include 42% Picpoul, 35% Clairette Blanche, 16% Roussanne, 5% Viognier, and 3% Bourboulenc from both the Orselli and San Tomasso Estate Vineyards, the blend given 16 months in 100% neutral French oak. This is going to be one to look for upon release, with tremendous aging potential and appeal.
97-98 points, Jeb Dunnuck
The Rocks District of Milton Freewater AVA
55% Orselli, 45% San Tomasso Estate Vineyards
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Harvested late September
Direct press to barrel, kept on lees
Native Yeast, Minimal Intervention
16 months in 100% neutral French oak
42% Piquepoul | 35% Clairette Blanche | 16% Rousssanne | 5% Viognier | 3% Bourbelenc
Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered
112 cases | $95
Best served at 50-55 degrees
“From the Orselli Estate Vineyard, the 2024 Tenuta Bianca Estate White Blend, unlike the previous vintage, doesn’t include Viognier (bottled on its own instead), but co-ferments 48% Clairette, 27% Picpoul, 24% Bourboulenc, and 1% Roussanne. Barrel-fermented on native yeasts, it spent 10 months élevage in 57% new French oak, 30% stainless, and 13% neutral French oak. Altogether, the wine is exuberant in jasmine and white flowers, with medium-bodied intensity and a supple mouthfeel. There’s a hint of matchstick reduction that adds to the appeal, and so much salty minerality and lemon to enjoy. With room to age a good 10-12 years, only 162 cases were made.”
98 points, Jeb Dunnuck
The Rocks District of Milton Freewater AVA
Orselli Estate Vineyard
– 48% Clairette, 27% Piquepoul, 24% Bourboulenc, 1% RoussanneHarvested in late SeptemberBarrel fermented with native yeastsAged in 57% new French oak, 30% stainless steel and 13% neutral French oak, 10 months élevage162 cases produced | Release Date: January 2027
$95