Ojai Sauvignon Blanc McGinley Vineyard (75cl, 13%)

A barrel-fermented, Loire-inspired California Sauvignon Blanc from Santa Ynez Valley, bottled at 13% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the McGinley Vineyard, where poor soils over fractured shale and serpentine rock force low yields and concentrated fruit. Unlike most Sauvignon Blanc, it is fermented and aged for seven months in neutral French oak barrels on the lees with periodic stirring, while malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve acidity and freshness. The nose is restrained and layered, with poached pear, citrus blossom, white flowers, green herbs and crushed stone. The palate is bright and crunchy with green melon and Asian pear, broadening into quince, Meyer lemon and passion fruit, with chalky, almost saline minerality and subtle textural roundness. The finish is medium-long with lime zest, smoky minerals and a faint herbal echo.