2021 Acquiesce Winery Belle Blanc – Vive la France!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
The word Acquiesce as a verb means to “surrender, to become quiet”. This has been their mantra since establishing the vineyard and winery. The goal was to yield to nature and let the vineyard speak as to the varietal. They have done just that but quietly they have turned the white wine world on its head!
Photo from Acquiesce Winery
Acquiesce Winery continues to impress with their white wine portfolio on French varietals. There is so much to state about Susan Tipton, owner and winemaker of Acquiesce Winery. The key takeaway is that she established her winery in Acampo (just north of Lodi) with the expressed purpose of bringing French white wine varieties to market. Lodi had been primarily known for red wines, but she turned heads with some of her unique wines such as Picpoul, Clairette Blanche, Ingénue (blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc & Picpoul Blanc), Roussanne and more. Here are some reviews of her wines and her impact:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2020/08/30/2018-acquiesce-ingenue-french-and-more-french/
Her awards are too numerous to list for her wines! However two recent awards stand out for Susan Tipton: 2022 Woman Winemaker of the Year by International Women’s Wine Competition. The other is being named 2023 Winery of the Year by Visit Lodi.
The Wine – “Wine if bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Chose this wine tonight with its “French background” to go with the meal (see below). Belle Blanc is a Rhone blend of Roussanne (50%), Grenache Blanc (30%) and Bourboulenc (20%). It is Susan Tipton’s homage to a white Châteauneuf–du–Pape. Many people have heard and experienced Chateauneuf-du-Pape as a red wine. The reality is that it comes in a white format also! The region allows six white grape varieties: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Picpoul and Picardan. Grenache Blanc, a mutation of Grenache noir, is the most used grape varietal.
Served in a Riedel Chardonnay glass for the full effect of the wine. First on the eyes, it is a soft golden color and medium to medium heavy viscosity. The aromatics of this wine are by far the most intriguing and surprisingly fuller than any white wine I have experienced. As Susan Tipton states “aromas of pear, stone fruit, violet, and passionfruit…”. As the wine wafts into the olfactory senses, you are immediately mesmerized, and aware that this is no ordinary “plain jane” white wine. The combination of Bourboulenc per Susan “lengthens the finish while emphasizing body and texture on the mid-palate”. This evening a distinct peach essence was noted from my previous review back in December, 2022. The grapes are hand-picked and immediately whole cluster pressed to capture their true essence of flavor. It is then sur lie aged in the tank with periodic stirring until bottling. It was originally listed on their website for $36/bottle and is 13.0% alcohol. Only 367 cases were produced with the grapes coming from the Mokelumne River Sub-AVA.
Today’s released vintage is the 2022 and is listed at $43.50/bottle and is also 13.0% alcohol.
This wine and several other Acquiesce Wines have made my annual Best Wines Tasted during the year for the last five years! This list comes out mid-December.
Recent award for Belle Blanc include:
*For the 2021, Best of Class, 94 pts at the 2023American Fine Wine Competition
*For the 2021, Double Gold, 95 pts at the 2022 International Women’s Wine Competition
*For the 2021, Gold, 92 pts at the 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition
*For the 2021, Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
*For the 2021, Gold at the Orange County Wine Competition
And more recently for her 2022 Belle Blanc she has won:
*For the 2022, Double Gold at the 2024 American Fine Wine Competition
*For the 2022, Silver at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a modified Provençal chicken. This recipe called for olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary and salt/pepper to taste. This herb chicken dish was marinated for two hours and then grilled. Served with additional sauce. Accompanied with halved roasted Brussel sprouts, lightly broiled garlic French bread and Cajun style dirty rice with additional herbs.
An excellent food and wine pairing this evening!!
Sláinte,
Michael