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Idlewild The Bee Flora and Fauna White Wine 2017Proprietor Sam Bilbro has spent virtually a lifetime around wine. His family owns Marietta, while brothers Jake and Scot are behind the reborn Limerick Lane. At Idlewild, Sam Bilbro focuses on Italian and other less well-known varieties. In addition to these wines, I also tasted the, Arneis Fox Hill Vineyard, Vin Gris Dry Creek Valley and Grenache Gris Gibson Ranch. The best wines in this range are compelling, and point to a bright future. ANTONIO GALLONI, www.vinousmedia.com
Having had a relationship with the Bilbro family as importers of the Marietta wines some years ago we were delighted to find youngest son, Sam, was behind this new venture, Idlewild. In many ways the wines are the anitpathy of what so many believe Californian wines are supposed to be. Hunting out heritage stands of Italian and Rhone varietals (mostly in Mendocino County) Bilbro makes extremely interesting wines characterised by texture, savouriness and subtlety. Skin contact is a part of the wines as is a relatively non-interventionist approach; both indicative of the preferences of the younger brigade of Calfornia producers. PWS
The 2017 White The Bee Flora & Fauna, is a classy, polished wine to drink now and over the next few years. Green pear, mint, white flowers and light tropical overtones all grace this very pretty, expressive wine. The Muscat in particular adds an attractive aromatic flair. ANTONIO GALLONI2017Arneis, Cortese, MuscatUSA362$63.00 As low as $56.70 -
Santadi Vermentino Villa Solais 2023Cantina Santadi, from Sardinia’s southwestern coastal region known as Sulcis, was founded in 1960 as a cooperative of local growers. Under the guidance of Antonello Pilloni, Santadi has become one of Sardinia’s, and Italy’s, finest wineries, with more than 200 growers farming 600 hectares.
The Sulcis peninsula is, geographically, Sardinia’s most ancient area, rich in archaeological sites, and offers an astonishing palette of variations and contrasts, with coastal sand dunes, gentle hills and inlets, narrow strips of flatland and inland mountains, rugged cliffs overhanging the seas interspersed with silky-smooth white beaches, pine trees, junipers and vineyards. In these sandy soils, pre-phylloxera vines continue to survive and thrive.
Made with 10% Nuragus, another local variety, this spends a few months maturation on lees, in stainless steel, to give the wine an extra dimension of flavour and texture. Citrus notes and hints of tropical fruit, the palate is minerally and refreshing.
2023VermentinoItaly480$28.00 As low as $25.20 -
Little Frances Eleventh House White Vermentino 2022Little Frances was established in 2012 by Aussie ex-pat Erin Frances Pooley, who set out to make the wines she loves to drink from Californian grapes. Enamoured with the nuance and intrigue of aged white wine (and missing Hunter Valley Semillon from home), Erin started Little Frances in 2012 with just 200 cases of Semillon from a high altitude vineyard in Northern California, farmed by the 3rd generation growers.
We knew of Erin with her work with one of our producers, Hobo Wine Co. Owner Kenny is a friend and mentor and we have been super excited to try her wines and needless to say we were not disappointed.
This blend is vermentino dominant with some aromatic components and textural support from pinot Gris & friulano all from the Apline Valleys, a region which Erin loves for the diversity of varietal selection and what that brings to the table. The trio get fermented in barrels and aged on their lees for a while.
A beautiful co
mbination of zingy freshness, weight and texture. Erin has captured the pristine fruits in peek ripeness then judiciously and cleverly add nuance as well as light and shade to the final wines through throughtful winemaking.
2022VermentinoAustralia$31.00 As low as $27.90