Inglenook : Blancaneaux 2019

The elegance and typicality of a white wine from California by Inglenook

The estate

Located in the Rutherford AVA in Napa Valley, Inglenook is a winegrowing estate created by Gustave Niebaum, a Finnish captain, in 1879. The estate’s wines quickly became reputed for their quality and richness.

From 1975, Francis and Eleanor Coppola gradually acquired the entire estate with the ambition of making Inglenook an iconic reference of Californian wines. The couple instigated major infrastructure renovations, hiring renowned winegrower, André Tchelistcheff, as a consultant, as well as Philippe Bascaules from Château Margaux to supervise vinifications.

A pioneering estate that constantly innovates, Inglenook owes its distinctiveness to the unique and authentic expression of its great terroirs through delicate, refined and perfectly balanced wines. These wines are recognised by many critics, as evidenced in 1990 when the Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon 1941 obtained a 100/100 score from Wine Spectator.

The vineyard

Inglenook overlooks a 95-hectare vineyard certified in Organic Farming since 1991. The variations in the vineyard’s topography reflect the mosaic of terroirs in Napa Valley and contribute to Inglenook’s uniqueness. In 2015, the estate began an ambitious programme to replant an average of 2% of the vineyard each year so as to ensure the vineyard’s continuous renewal.

The wine

Produced since 1999, the Blancaneaux by Inglenook is a Californian white wine produced from a blend of three grape varieties from the Rhone Valley, cultivated in the estate’s plots and benefitting from the morning sunshine and refreshing shade of Mont-Saint-Jean during the mid-afternoon. The body and minerality conferred by the Marsanne and Roussane are combind with the intense aromas of tropical fruits by the Viognier.

The vintage

Winter and the beginning of spring were marked by significant rainfall. A hot summer preceded a period from August to early September with mild temperatures, encouraging the berries to ripen uniformly and in a high-quality manner.

Winemaking and ageing

This Blancaneaux 2019 by Inglenook enjoys an 8-month ageing on lees in stainless steel vats (60%) and French oak barrels (40%), 22% of which are new oak.

Blend

This Blancaneaux 2019 by Inglenook is made from a blend of 38% Viognier, 35% Marsanne, and 27% Roussanne.

Tasting

Nose

Elegant and complex, the nose combines floral (rose, linden) and fruity (pear, apricot, lychee) frargrances with hints of honeydew.

Palate

The palate seduces with its roundness and freshness, as well as its long and elegant finish.

Keeping

This wine can wait in the cellar until 2025 to develop its entire aromatic palette.