We tasted last night 5 Idlewild Whites at Pig+Fig:
1. Idlewild Arneis LostHillsRanch/Yorkville Highlands (11.5%; www.Idlewines.com) 2022: Med.light gold color; fairly fragrant floral/Arneis/gardenias slight stony/mineral some spicy very attractive nose; fairly tart/tangy fairly rich strong Arneis/floral/gardenias/spicy very light mineral flavor; very long finish mimics flavor; loads of primary/youthful Arneis fruit; sure to put on weight & develop complexity over the next few yrs. $36.00
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2. Idlewild Arneis FoxHillVnyd/MendoCnty (11.5%) 2016: Med.dark gold color; slightly nutty/oxidative some floral/Arneis/gardenias light earthy/stony bit perfumed talc fairly complex nose; lightly tart fairly nutty/toasted hazelnuts/bit oxidative light Arneis/floral/carnations/pungent rather complex flavor; long rich/nutty/slightly oxidative light Arneis/floral finish; quite an interesting/complex white like an older Roussanne white but has lost a lot of that fragrant Arneis fruit; still a good wine but not going to develop much. $36.00
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3. Idlewild Arneis FoxHillVnyd/MendoCnty (11.9%) 2017: Med.gold color; very strong Arneis/floral/gardenias/carnations very slight nutty bit earthy fairly complex nose; lightly tart fairly rich/lush strong floral/Arneis/gardenias/carnations slight perfumed talc very slight nutty rather complex flavor w/ little signs of oxidation; very long/lingering finish mimics flavor; probably in a perfect place right now; plenty of Arneis/floral fruit w/ a bit of nutty character to add complexity; a lovely world-class Arneis. $36.00
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4. Idlewild Favorita FoxHillVnyds/MendoCnty (11.5%; Vermentino) 2022: Med.light gold color; strong floral/Verm/carnations slight earthy/mineral loads of primary Verm fruit quite lovely nose; fairly tart/tangy rather rich/lush strong Verm/floral/carnations light stony/earthy lovely flavor; very long/lingering finish much like the flavor; speaks more of Calif Verm than of Piemonte Favorita but not as perfumed/fragrant as the Ryme Hers Verm; quite a lovely fragrant white. $42.00
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5. Idlewild Favorita FoxHillVnyds/MendoCnty (11.5%; Vermentino) 2020: Med.yellow color; lightly floral/Verm/carnations more stony/mineral/chalky bit perfumed talc rather subtle/subdued low-key/quiet rather pretty nose; rather softer light Verm/floral/carnations some stony/mineral fairly quiet/low-key flavor; resembles more a Piemonte Favorita than Calif Verm; quite a pretty if quiet white. $38.00
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More forkerbick from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Idlewild is one of my most favorite of wineries. SamBilbro is doing an absolutely first-rate job w Italian varietals. Many of them World-class.
Favorita is the name they use in the Piemonte for a grape that is related to Vermentino & Pigato of Liguria. At one time they were thought to be identical, but DNA has not confirmed that claim. Italian grape authorities assert that Favorita is a distinct variety in its own right. The Piemonte Favoritas seem to be a bit milder & low-key and not show the intensity of Vermentino. Yet they do show a lot of the same characteristics.
The exciting news is that Sam has his first Timorasso from LostHills in btl and should be released fairly soon. The first btl should be wending its way to LosAlamos any day now.
Tom