Cline Cellars 1995 Marsanne-Carneros

VINEYARDS
Marsanne, the most widely planted grape of the Northern Rhone (Cotes du Rhone) appellations Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Saint Peray and Crozes-Hermitage, is truly the backbone of white Rhone wines. In character it can vary from a mineral zestiness and crisp summer fruits to unctous apricot, jasmine and honeyed hazelnut. In the Northern Rhone, it finds its grandest expression as well as a aged Hermitage, where, grown on steep gravelly slopes, its vigorous nature is controlled, yeilding a particular richness. Cline Cellars' Marsanne vineyards, located in the Carneros Appellation of Sonoma County, is the first Marsanne vineyard in this famous grape growing region. Located at the southern end of the Carneros District just off Arnold Drive, the Marsanne is planted in gravelly soils and heavy clay thus restricting vine vigor. Favored by intense marine influences, the Carneros Appellation produces a Marsanne fruit rich. In addition, the wines mineral components gives the Marsanne a particularly refreshing acidity.
FERMENTATION AND AGING
We harvest our Marsanne at relatively low Brix levels to best preserve the full range of floral and melon aromas that the varietal can produce. Gentle pressing and a subsequent long, cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks conserves acidity and freshness.The Marsanne is barrel aged for 6 months in new and used French and American oak, which lends a sense of elegance and a fine structure.
WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS
It is oftern said of Marsanne that it is best in its youth, within the first three years of harvest, or instead after ten or more years of age. Here, at the winery, we feel the Carneros Marsanne is an excellent candidate for extended aging. Cline Cellars' Marsanne will invariably evolve into a beautifully rich wine with bottle age. This Marsanne shows some of the delicate melon and floral aromas of its French counterparts. With a rich crisp mouthfeel, this wine can be used as an elegant aperitif or matched with most fish dishes. Only 853 cases produced.

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