Cruse St. Laurent Pet Nat

This Austrian variety has been grown by Dale Ricci, a longtime family friend, for about 25 years. Ricci vineyards is on the Sonoma half of Carneros and only a few miles from the San Pablo Bay. It’s typical Carneros soil, Haire clay loam, with the cool fog and winds that define the region.

The fruit was hand harvested and gently pressed using a slow, sparkling press cycle. After racking to a small stainless steel tank, it was allowed to ferment spontaneously then bottled while still slightly sweet. The wine was then riddled and disgorged following a 5 month tirage storage. It is a blanc de noirs.

On the nose the wine is dominated by white flowers, peach candies, and lavender. Bright, youthful fruit, a persistent grape and pear character, are key elements of the palate. The mousse is dominant and creamy. It is an easily quaffable wine with its crystalline simplicity. The wine finishes with a slight sweetness (varying between 8-12 g/L) adding to the playful nature of this spring and summer porch pounder.