2022 Arbe Garbe 'Catie's Corner Vineyard' Malvasia Bianca, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County   

The White Wine from Arbe Garbe is an unusual—and fabulous wine made from 100% Malvasia Bianca, which winemaker Enrico Maria Bertoz calls “the Holy Trinity of Friuli,” where he was raised. The Malvasia is split into portions, with one whole-cluster pressed portion, a second portion on the skins for 12 hours, and the third on the skins for 24 hours. These lots are then blind-tasted to create the final blend. The nose explodes with musk, lychee, warm peaches, charcuterie, and beeswax with high-toned notes of fresh green herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate has a gorgeous silky texture, ever-so-slightly creamy, with kaleidoscopic bursts of ripe fruit in the mouth. It’s concentrated while still incredibly light on its feet, addicting in its freshness and long, textured finish. What a gorgeous vintage for this wine 24 hours of skin contact for the Malvasia, 12 hours for the Tocai and the Ribolla, followed by light pressing and native fermentation in puncheons (20% new). Post fermentation, batonnage every week for the first 3 months, than every 2 weeks.