St. Reginald Parish 'Laser Tag' 2019 (white)

St. Reginald Parish Laser Tag 2019

Chenin Blanc

Ribbon Ridge, California

It rained a lot in the fall of 2019. Like a lot a lot. You had a choose to pick early or wait it out. I chose the former for the Chenin Blanc from Omero Vineyard. Partly to help promote the searing acidity and flintiness I’ve come to love from the great producers in the Saumur, but also just for sheer protection of the fruit. This was a tricky site, and one with a lot of bravery and foresight, as many, many experimental varietals were planted at Omero. In the months following harvest the vineyard changed hands and was grafted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for a larger scale project. Especially because of this, I’m so glad that I was able to produce this wine, in one of the last vintages that I (mostly) was working completely alone and the last ever vintage of Chenin Blanc to be produced from these vines. This one’s a stunner.

Fruit: Omero Vineyard - Last year of Omero Vineyard (Ribbon Ridge AVA) Chenin Blanc before vines were grafted back to Pinot Noir.

Winemaking: Direct Press (whole cluster). 15ppm SO2 at press. 3/4 stainless 1/4 neutral barrel fermentation via ambient yeasts. Moved to 1/4 new oak and 3/4 neutral oak after fermentation finished (dry). "Finished" in 100% new oak for the last 9 months of élevage. 2 years total in barrel before racking to stainless and bottling.

— Andy Young, winemaker of St. Reginald Parish