Rococo, 'Own Rooted', Chenin Blanc, Central Coast, California, 2024

Overview of the Wine
Rococo began in 2016 when Natalie Brown unexpectedly stumbled upon four rows of old vine Chenin Blanc vines sandwiched in the middle of a Chardonnay and a Merlot block. The Chenin stood out because the plants stand a few feet taller and the trunks are double the diameter of the neighboring blocks. It turns out these vines were the last remaining of an original fifty acres planted in 1974.

In 2018, Natalie traveled to Clarksburg, a region in California that is championing Chenin Blanc, and sourced a few tons of fruit from a twenty-six-year-old vineyard. The following vintage, she added another site: Shell Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles. Shell Creek grows vines planted by the Sinton family in the early 70’s, and has one of the largest holdings of Chenin Blanc in the area with about twenty-five acres. 

The experience of producing Chenin from multiple different regions made her believe that terroir, compared to winemaking style, had an equal if not greater effect on the underlying character of the wine. The desire to understand more about this grape was a slow burning fire. 

In 2020 Natalie made the decision to emulate Chenin from the Swartland region of South Africa. There, many producers pick when the grapes are lower in sugar and higher in acid. The wines are fermented dry in neutral oak and malolactic fermentation is encouraged, allowing the natural acidity to mellow and the wines to be bottled unfiltered without the risk of secondary fermentation occurring. The Jurassic vineyard naturally lent itself to this model so the program was performed.

Winemaker
Natalie Brown

Grape / Blend
Chenin Blanc

Origin
Central Coast, California

Tasting Notes
A blend of the three Chenin site that we work with on the central coast. It has a soft creaminess that is balanced by bright acidity.

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Very light gold-hued, the 2024 Chenin Blanc Own Rooted reveals subtle citrus, fresh hay, and minty herb nuances. It's medium-bodied and remarkably pure, with integrated acidity and a fresh, focused mouthfeel. Made from 100% Chenin Blanc, this brilliant effort will be about as versatile as they come. It is best enjoyed over the coming 4-5 years. Drink 2025-2030.

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Lots of fresh pear and young coconut flesh meet with dried white flowers on the nose of this bottling. The palate is firm, balancing the riper pear, melon rind and lime spray flavors. 

91 Points - Vinous
The 2024 Chenin Blanc Own Rooted is wickedly fresh, wafting up with nunaces of chamomile and lime-tinged yellow apples. Round and soothingly soft, it offers ripe pit fruits and crisp mineral tones elevated by a core of juicy acidity. The 2024 finishes with lovely length and a perfumed character.

 Product size: 750ml