Friday, January 24, 2014

Lincourt 2009 Pinot Blanc, Sta. Rita Hills

This arctic weather has me pining for sunshine and warmth. For a recent dinner with friends I pulled two bottles of wine, both from Santa Barbara County – hoping to capture some California golden rays.
Our fish fillet was paired with this smashing bottle of Lincourt Pinot Blanc. Lincourt is part of the sprawling Foley Family Wines, but the winery itself is quaint and has the air of a small producer. The focus is on luxury and ultra-premium wines.
Grapes for this Pinot Blanc came from the 500-acre Rancho Las Hermanas estate in the cool Santa Rita Hills. A quick check of the Lincourt website shows that this vintage is no longer available and, Pinot Blanc is not currently for sale.
I’m glad I snagged this bottle during our visit to the winery! The wine hits with a wave of freshness – a wisp of floral bouquet and a crisp, light body. It is more akin to Pinot Gris than a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc (two other wines for which Lincourt is well known). There are flavor notes of green apple and lemon and no rough edges at all.
To keep that freshness, the wine is fermented in steel tanks and there is no malolactic fermentation (which is sometimes used to add creaminess or body to wines). Lincourt is focused on sustainable farming techniques and pure and natural notes reverberate through the wine glass.
The Lincourt Pinot Blanc is a pleasing dinner pairing for light dishes. It is also a good choice for an enjoyable pre-dinner drink with friends. For $27, it is an affordable luxury.
Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 4.5 of 5
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