Arbe Garbe 2019 Proprietary White, Russian River Valley

The Arbe Garbe White Blend (50% Malvasia, 30% Tocai, 20% Chardonnay) is absolutely gorgeous. The wine is medium to full in body, offering bright, floral aromatics that lead to apricot, lemon confit, jasmine and mint. Beautifully perfumed throughout, the wine offers a compelling interplay of exotic fruit, lifted aromatics and pliant texture. Not surprisingly, it has much in common with the white blends of Friuli. The fruit was sourced from two venerable vineyards (Catie’s Corner, Pagani Ranch).  This latest Arbe Garbe White is all class.

The  White Wine from Arbe Garbe is an unusual—and fabulous—blend of 50% Malvasia Bianca, 30% Tocai Friulano and 20% Chardonnay, what winemaker Enrico Maria Bertoz calls “the Holy Trinity of Friuli,” where he was raised. The Malvasia is split into portions, with one portion whole-cluster pressed, a second portion on skins for 12 hours and a third portion on skins for 24 hours. These lots are then blind tasted to create the final blend. The nose explodes to musk, lychee, warm peaches, charcuterie and beeswax with high-toned notes of fresh green herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate has a gorgeous silken texture, ever-so-slightly creamy, with kaleidoscopic bursts of ripe fruit in the mouth. It’s concentrated while still incredibly light on its feet, addicting in its freshness and long, textured finish. What a gorgeous vintage for this wine!”