2007 Pax Alder Springs Vineyard Nepenthe

A blend of Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, the 2007 Nepenthe Proprietary White Alder Springs Vineyard reveals a brilliant bouquet of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, and tropical fruits along with an intriguing minerality, medium to full body, and a dry, long finish. More California wineries should be creating blends such as this as opposed to making straightforward varietal offerings, as the blends are more complex and complete. After a turbulent year at Pax Cellars, where winemaker Pax Mahle departed to start his own project, owner Joe Donelan moved quickly to bring in Tyler Thomas, who spent four years working for Burgundy’s famed proprietor of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Aubert de Villaine, at his California outpost, HDV. The first vintage where Thomas will have complete control will be 2008, although he will bottle the 2007s. Joe Donelan told me he has long-term contracts with the vineyards he and Pax Mahle had accessed, so these superb sites will remain part of the portfolio. Following are my tasting notes on the late-released 2006s and the limited portfolio of 2007s. Pax Cellars will eventually release more 2007s, but they were not ready to taste during my visit. Tel. (707) 592-0782; Fax (707) 591-0784