Birichino : Jurassic Park Chenin Blanc 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Tips of Jurassic Park Chenin Blanc 2022 Birichino

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a bright yellow color with golden highlights.

Nose
The bouquet reveals aromas of fresh tangerine and white peach, accompanied by notes of pear and a subtle honeyed touch.

Palate
The palate unveils a fleshy and generous texture. Flavors of pear and peach flourish, enriched by notes of stone fruits and melon nuances. The juicy acidity brings freshness and liveliness to the whole.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Chenin Blanc pairs perfectly with fresh oysters, grilled shrimp, or ceviche. It also elegantly accompanies fresh goat cheese and salads with lemon-herb vinaigrettes.

Serving and Aging

This wine is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 50°F and can be appreciated now and will continue to evolve until around 2032.

An Exceptional Californian Chenin Blanc from Santa Barbara County

The Estate

Founded in 2008 by Alex Krause and John Locke in Santa Cruz, Birichino relies on historic family vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Chalone, and the Sierra Nevada in California. The two co-founders, with their experience at Bonny Doon, practice minimalist winemaking with spontaneous fermentations and neutral aging. Their specialty lies in highlighting rare grape varieties and their innovative approach, creating perfumed and balanced wines from ungrafted centenarian vines.

The Vineyard

The Jurassic Park vineyard is located in the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, at the heart of the Santa Barbara County region in California. Planted in 1978, this exceptional terroir thrives at 1,100 feet altitude on perfectly drained sandy and limestone soils. The ungrafted Chenin Blanc vines benefit from a warm Mediterranean climate and are managed with sustainable agriculture without irrigation.

The Vintage

The 2022 vintage was marked by significant drought that characterized the entire season. These particular conditions limited the development of botrytis, concentrating the aromas in the berries and allowing for perfectly ripe grapes.

Winemaking and Aging

Manual harvest. Aging takes place for 7 months on lees, divided between stainless steel tanks and neutral barrels, preserving the purity of the fruit while adding complexity and structure.

Grape Variety

This wine is made from 100% Chenin Blanc, a noble grape variety originating from the Loire that finds a remarkable Californian expression here thanks to the ungrafted vines planted in 1978.