2016 Buty Beast White Wildebeest Columbia Valley

Season of the BEAST While the 2016 growing season delivered our fourth year in a row of early budbreak and flowering, a perfectly timed mid-summer cooldown provided ideal hangtime, while preserving the natural acidity that is so integral to our style. Gorgeous clusters of grapes arrived at our winery in pristine condition. Winemaking Our 2016 Wildebeest White Wine is a blend of 55% chardonnay, 23% sémillon, 9% sauvignon blanc, 9% muscadelle and 4% marsanne. Each variety from each individual vineyard was fermented and aged separately. To balance richness, complexity and fruit purity, 60% of the wine was fermented in barrel, with the remaining 40% fermented in concrete. No new oak was used and the alcohol content is 13.5%. Notes Upon Encountering the Wildebeest Inspired by the beautiful chardonnay and sémillon blends of Australia, this lush and layered wine combines lovely underlying richness and alluring flavors of dark honey, apple streusel and apricot, with sophisticated notes of jasmine, white flowers and Asian pear. On the palate, excellent natural acid and vibrant minerality add poise and precision, while carrying the wine to a long finish with a hint of supple creaminess.