Palate
The 2013 Bel Bianco is richer than most whites because it is made from fully ripe malbec
grapes. Complex and exotic with aromas and flavors of apricot nectar, white peach and
orange blossom.
Growing Conditions
The grapes are sourced from our estate vineyards on the Silverado Trail in Calistoga,
Napa Valley. The Calistoga AVA is the 15th AVA to be approved within the greater Napa
Valley appellation. Calistoga's qualifications as an outstanding winemaking area were
established when winemaking began shortly after the town was founded in 1857. The
AVA is located at the northern end of the Napa Valley at the foot of Mount St. Helena
where it has been blessed with a unique micro-climate and deep volcanic soils perfectly
suited to vineyards. The growing season is warm to hot, depending upon the time of
year; summer temperatures peak to 90°F (32.2°C) and fall to low 50s°F (11°C), the
result of marine air from the northwest producing cool afternoon and evening breezes.
The soils are almost completely of volcanic origin, soils range from rocky, stony loam on
the hillsides, to gravelly or cobbly loams on the alluvial fans, to heavier clay-silt soils in
the valley center areas.
The 2013 vintage was another ideal year producing balanced, ripe fruit of extraordinary
color and flavor
Bottling
Bottled May, 2014.
Winemaking
The estate malbec grapes were hand-picked, in small lots, at the peak of ripeness,
destemmed and very, very gently pressed to avoid the extraction of pigments and
tannins from the skins.
Aging
The free run juice was then barrel fermented in neutral oak
barrels. The barrels were stirred weekly and aged sur lie for 9 months giving the
wine its round, rich mouth feel and weight.
Food Pairing
Bel Bianco’s heavier weight and body make it well matched to richer cuisine. Pair with butter
poached lobster, green gazpacho with Dungeness crab, fennel rubbed roast chicken, ravioli in
white truffle cream sauce, poached salmon with tarragon and lemon crème fraiche sauce.
