2009 Qupé Marsanne Santa Ynez Valley

Marsanne; 70% marsanne from Ibarra-Young, 15% marsanne from Purisima Mountain and 15% roussanne from Bien Nacido Vineyards. The marsanne lots were barrel fermented and aged in neutral barrels, the roussanne was fermented and aged in one-year-old Francois Fréres French oak barrels. The marsanne lots were picked at the low end of ripeness, 21.2° for the Ibarra-Young and 22.2° for the Purisima, while they still have great acidity and fresh, balanced alcohol levels. The roussanne holds its acidity better and was picked at riper sugars, 24.4°, which adds richness and complexity to the blend. As with most of our marsannes, drink over the next two years or put in the cellar for about 10 years. 848 cases of 750ml and 98 cases of half bottles were bottled in June 2010.