2021 Arbe Garbe White Blend Sonoma County

The Arbe Garbe White Blend (85% Malvasia and 15% Chardonnay) is absolutely gorgeous. The wine is medium to full in body, offering bright, floral aromatics that lead to apricot, lemon confit, jasmine, and mint. Beautifully perfumed throughout, the wine shows a compelling interplay of exotic fruit, lifted aromatics, and pliant texture. Not surprisingly, it has much in common with the white blends of Friuli. The fruit was sourced from one venerable vineyard (Catie’s Corner). This latest Arbe Garbe White is all class.The White Wine from Arbe Garbe is an unusual—and fabulous—blend of 85% Malvasia and 15% Chardonnay 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 silken 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.