marsanne-sierra-foothills
2023 Lavender Ridge Vineyard Marsanne – An Alternative to Chardonnay
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
2018 Lavender Ridge Vineyard tasting room is in the town of Murphys in the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. The tasting room is located at 425 A Main Street and specializes in Rhone varietal wines. They include Cotes du Calaveras Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Rolle, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rose, Grenache, Cotes du Calaveras, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Vin Doux and Anniversaire Blanc. They also feature an artisan cheese selection that is unique and has something for just about everyone. To read more about Lavender Ridge, see three previous articles:
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Tasted this newly released wine at Lavender Ridge recently. This is their first year producing Marsanne and is 100% Marsanne grapes. First on the eyes it is a light golden straw color and medium viscosity. On the nose, stone fruit and beeswax waft into the olfactory senses. On the palate, fresh citrus balanced with light honeysuckle. Low acidity and “heavy” compared to many white wines in the mouth with a creamy texture. On the finish, minerality with an abbreviated finish. As it develops over time, slight almond and honeysuckle, show up to complete this wine experience.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine sells for $26/bottle and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Initially being released to club members. It was aged six months in neutral French oak barrels with native yeast with frequent stirring of the lees. Only 112 cases were produced from their estate vineyard.
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
The wine was chosen this evening to go with a light summer meal (it was 100 degrees). Thin sliced chicken filets seasoned with garlic salt and pepper and sauteed in minced garlic, butter and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Accompanied by a twice baked potato and a fresh garden salad topped with pepitas. The wine with its lemon characteristics and the meal with lemon came together very nicely to make an excellent meal.
Now if I can only convince Rich to take his excellent Roussanne and make a 50/50 Roussanne and Marsanne blend! Maybe next year??
Sláinte,
Michael