Oakville Fumé Blanc

Impressed as this is 10 years old.

Both delicious and weird. It juxtaposes figgy, leafy and slightly tropical notes with distinct oak treatment which seems at odds with the fruit expression. I've had older aged bottles at the winery with meals prepared there, which were exceptional. Maybe a shellfish with tropical fruited creamy/butter sauce?
Not sure I like it, though it is very well made.

Needs a lot of air to start strutting. Nose shows the barrel-aging, yielding smoky butterscotchy scents over ripe honeydew melon, herb-tinged fruit. Deep, ripe, and full, it’s got a long finish and decent acids. I think blind I’d probably guess this was a Chardonnay. Still, a very good wine.

Was a great pairing for seafood, but hard to say it was a great wine. I bought because it was hard to resist an opportunity to try SB from some of the worlds best terroir. I was hoping it might be a junior version of the much revered I-Block but not quite. Still a well made wine that. Brings a little more texture and depth than your typical SB, not your typical lemongrass but finishes with a little creaminess.

I have to say, it was a marvelous wine. 40-60% of the fruit in this fume blanc comes from their To Kalon vineyard, and it definitely shows. Beautiful tension, ample acidity, great complexity, some pyrazine aroma (not as much as the Honig) and very French in style. This wine pays homage to Robert Mondavi standing up with the greats of France. I guessed southern Napa 2014, so not too far off there!

My original intention today was to find something old world, but also progressive... thinking pet-nat or maybe Cru Beaujolais... but instead I came across this at one third its list price. Sourced 100% from To Kalon Vineyard, so Mondavi it is. Considering what To Kalon reds command, it’s fascinating that the vineyard still has blocks planted to white varietals. The 2014 Oakville District Fumé Blanc is a blend of 79% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Sémillon. Lots of history here... The name Fumé Blanc was actually a creation of Robert Mondavi in the late 60s. Needing a pseudonym to distinguish his dry, Loire-inspired style of Sauvignon Blanc from the mostly sweet, mostly bad versions that dominated the market at the time, he borrowed from Loire’s Pouilly-Fumé, famous for its dry Sauvignon Blancs. Mondavi never trademarked the name, actually encouraging other producers to adopt the nomenclature as an association with higher quality. Several of these producers continue to bottle the varietal under Fumé Blanc, including Dry Creek Vineyards, Grgich, Ferrari-Carano, and Benziger.
An immediately appealing nose features the signature lemon verbena of Mondavi’s Fumé Blancs. Carries surprising restraint in regard to the fruit and level of manipulation, and is an indication of the superb balance it maintains. Lime zest, stone fruit, slate, and fresh thyme. I wouldn’t pay $40 for it, but this is better than everything under $20.

What I expected, but a little less smoky.

I haven’t had one of these in decades. It’s very good, but needs air. Very grassy on opening, but then settles down and shows rich, gravelly notes, subtle smoky oak, pear and gooseberry fruit. Mouthfilling and nicely balanced, it drinks like a nice, barrel-aged Pessac. Nice on its own but would shine with fish or seafood.

Love this funky nose. Papaya! Nice acidity, citrus rind on the finish. Very well done.

First release of this wine. Beautiful balance of herbs, peach and orange citrus with a kiss of oak.