Tenshen White Wine 2016 750mL

One of the best Rhône-style white wines produced in California, the mineral-driven 2016 Tenshen White Wine—a blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Chardonnay—shows chalk, dried citrus, and peach skin flavors. Pair with pan-seared breaded flounder. (Tasted: July 25, 2017, San Francisco, CA)

This collaboration between Winemaker Joey Tensley and wine entrepreneur Alex Guarachi is a multi-layered blend of white Rhone varities Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier - and OK, a hint of Chardonnay. You can imagine the weight just from the heady nose of lemon curd. The flavors include candied apple, Italian herbs, chamomile, and lemon oil. The underlying minerality and a perfectly balanced influence of acidity make this both foodworthy and a great solo sipper.

The 2016 White Wine from Tenshen is made from a blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Chardonnay sourced from sites throughout the Central Coast. Brought up mostly in neutral barrels, with a small part in stainless, it offers rich, full-bodied aromas and flavors of buttered peach, tangerine, honeysuckle and flowers. Richly textured, balanced and with a clean, dry finish, it’s a terrific white Rhône blend readers should check out.