2018 Before Anyone Else, Extended Age
100% Clairette Blanche
Our cellar experiments are always a great opportunity for creative exploration, often yielding game changing results. Among these experiments, we have played with variations on barrel ferments, whole clusters, aging in stainless steel, and extended barrel aging. 2018 gave us a generous Clairette crop, so we decided to “experiment” with aging a small amount for an additional 12 months in a neutral 500 liter barrel. As we tasted the wine over time, it continued to gain complexity, nuance, and texture, without loosing that core of fruit. It was evolving to be something very special. A vibrant gold ray of sunshine in the glass draws you in. Aromatics of candied ginger, lemon oil, stone fruits and baking spices transition to a full bodied, unctuous and savory beautiful beast sporting notes bitter almond, brown butter cookie, honey, and white flowers. The finish is pure and seamless, with a hint of reduction that takes it to the next level. This wine is truly orgasmic. It has been touted as one of California’s great white wines by many in the industry, and has inspired a handful of new Clairette Blanche plantings in Paso Robles. We are humbled by all the praise this wine has garnered and look forward to doing it again if yields allow. It is a rare opportunity to catch lightning in a bottle. Drink 2023-2045
The Press:
"Reminding me of a top Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc, the 2018 Clairette Bianche is, I believe, all Clairette raised 34 months in wood. It has a medium-gold hue as well as a gorgeous nose of ripe stone fruits, pear, toasted green almonds, chalky minerality, and white flowers. Rich, medium-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it has nicely integrated acidity, beautiful overall balance, no obvious oak whatsoever, and a great finish. This serious, impressive white is beautiful today, and I suspect it will evolve gracefully given its depth and acidity. Hats off to the team at MAHA Estate for a brilliant white geared for the dinner table."
95 pts - Jeb Dunnuck
"Smells of struck match and candied lemon peel. Wonderfully salty flavours of smoked lemon peel, camphor, candied grapefruit and incense swirl in a head-spinning, exotic melange of flavours. Astonishing and compelling, even revelatory. Wow."
18/20 pts - Alder Yarrow, Jancis Robinson