I became fascinated with the wines of the Bordeaux region of France early in my winemaking career. In 1991, not long after my introduction to winemaking, my father created a red Bordeaux blend called Petit Pompadour, at the time a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Red Bordeaux blends are some of my favorites in the world, but I’ve also been intrigued with their counterparts, the white Bordeaux blends. Typically blends of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, these white wines of Bordeaux are known not only for their richness, but their ability to age. Sauvignon Blanc has been planted and grown in southern Oregon for some time. Semillon, on the other hand, is a bit rarer. In 2023, I first had the good fortune to purchase Semillon. The release of our 2023 Semillon the following year, was a huge success, and with both Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc I now had the chance to make my first white Bordeaux blend. After weeks of blending trials our Petit Blanc, or “little white”, was born. Our Petit Blanc is the white complement to our Petit Pompadour. It is also a continued fulfillment of my passion for white Bordeaux blends. With the 2024 Petit Blanc, I find notes of preserved lemons, dried lime and fresh cut hay greet the nose, while dried yellow fruits and a touch of earthiness welcome the palate. Ready to drink now, this wine will continue to age and develop over time. I look forward to tasting the results for years to come.
