Pax Chenin Blanc, Lyman Ranch, Amador County 2023 (750 ml)

100% Chenin Blanc

100% Lyman Ranch

100% Whole Cluster Pressed

Full Malolactic fermentation

Ambient yeasts & Bacteria

Fermented in Neutral French Oak & new Stockinger Austrian barrels

Aged in neutral French Oak Barrels and Stockinger Austrian barrels for 10 months

Free SO2 – 22ppm

Glu/Fru – None Detected

3.30 pH

12.5% Alc By Vol

Grown in red granitic soils at 1400’within Amador County, this warm mountainous site grows a unique expression of Chenin Blanc. The ferrous soils and exposure ripen these thick-skinned golden grapes quickly and with loads of exotic fruit. The cold foothill nights help the grapes retain their acidity and freshness and the red granite gives the wine loads of minerality. A gorgeous balance of ripe California fruit and mouthwatering alpine freshness.

Tasting Note:

Wet rocks and marble outline a sexy nose of Mirabelle plums, orange blossoms, Tangerine, lemon peel and white flowers. Leaner and more focused than the 2021 version of this wine, but just as fresh and possibly a little more interesting. The exotic fruit and a wall of spice keep the flavors coming, this wine is long and sexy on the palate and is best enjoyed with chilled seafood or grilled fish.

Pax Wines:

Pax and Pam moved to wine country in 1997 to create a lifestyle that involved working with wine. After a few years of tasting and sourcing wine from all over California, Pax finally found a vineyard in which he felt a kismet connection. Alder Springs Vineyard was the site and subsequently led to the launch of the PAX brand in 2000.

The Mahles made a bold choice by favoring the “untapped potential"  of the Syrah grape. Their entire lineup of wines came from cool climate vineyards in  Sonoma County and Mendocino. These wines were big, rich expressions of Syrah that went on to be highly sought after. As a result, Pax quickly became established as one of California’s premier producers of Syrah.

Presently, Pax Wines has evolved to include new and exciting varieties in addition to Syrah. This includes Trousseau Gris, Chenin Blanc, Gamay Noir, and Mission, along with a host of others recently planted. 

At Pax Wines winemaking is approached holistically. This is done by taking care to use only grapes that are grown without the use of chemicals and by hand making their wines with as little intervention as possible. As a result, all of their wines are crushed by foot and hand, and fermented using only natural yeasts. To taste these wines visit the urban winery and tasting room in the outdoor Barlow market in downtown Sebastopol.

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