Pétard Blanc (2004)
Pétard (French for firecracker) is an exclamatory expression chanted by many a French taster when delighted by a wine extroadinarily explosive on the palate. The cépage here is 88% Blanc du Bois from LD3 Ranch Vineyard and 12% Viognier from Granite Hill Vineyard.
Fermented dry in a 50-gallon stainless steel barrel, this "off the beaten path" white wine, with its remarkable natural acidity, is as captivatingly interesting as it is rare.
Having entered their fourth leaf, the estate Blanc du Bois grapes at LD3 Ranch have an earthy, spicy-citrus taste, evidencing their partial Muscat parentage. Though no doubt coming through in the wine, those aromas and flavors are both broadened and lifted by intermingling notes of Graham Crackers (coming, in part, from the lees), pineapple, Meyer lemon, banana - even Key Lime pie. Viognier often has a touch of orange peel in the nose and the addition of a little here may have been what "Meyerized" the lemon note. These nuances are constantly evolving and interchanging in the glass, a sure sign of a wine that is alive, showing multiple dimensions of personality. Only 22 cases were made and have already been allocated to restaurants in Houston, Austin, San Antonio and other parts of the Texas Hill Country.
Suggested presentation: The refreshing natural acidity is remarkable, both from the standpoint of structure and versatile food pairing (sushi, shellfish, especially oysters, pork, fowl, Asian fare and goat cheese, to suggest a few). We think the wine shows best if served in a relatively smaller, more fluted glass (as opposed to large, bowl-shaped) and only slightly chilled.
La Rosa 2004 | La Rosa 2005 | Pétard Blanc 2005 | Cohete Rojo
Cohete Rojo "Prestige" | Estate Syrah | Troubadour
