Qupe Santa Ynez Valley Marsanne 2002

With our Marsanne, like its Rhône counterparts, you either want to drink it young and fresh, or wait about seven years for it to fully mature. Grapes from this wine were whole cluster pressed, chilled and settled for 48 hours, then racked into older, neutral barrels for primary fermentation. It was kept in barrel 5½ months and allowed to go through malolactic fermentation. 788 cases were bottled in 2003.

The aromas of this wine show minerals, wet stone, peaches and hints of orange zest. It is medium bodied, with soft but balanced acidity. Marsanne doesn't rely on acidity for aging. Drink over the next year – or put it away until 2009!