100% Albariño. Pale lemon, with flecks of gold in color. Spring aromatics of fruit cup citrus, mineral, and salty zest. Lighter aromatics of honeydew melon, tangerine, exotic fruits, and spice. Additional flavors Asian pear, ripe pineapple, white flower, tropical fruit, with a ripe apricot finish. This is a tangy dry wine with medium-plus acidity that tickles the tongue offering structure and balance to the wine. The salinity is reminiscent of a Raxis Bias, Spanish Alberino but with a touch more shoulder in this version, medium body and medium plus flavor intensity. Think white flowers, tropical fruit, and a beach which linger on to a medium-plus finish.
Food Pairing: Oysters on the half-shell, Pacific salmon, seared tuna, lemon caper shrimp, artichoke-crab dip, light tempura, prosciutto and melon, Korean garlic-chili, burrata, or semi-hard cheese like Manchego, gouda, or salty feta
4.1/5 SIP Certified Sustainable
Region: The wider, climate range is Central Coast, California, which runs along the Pacific coastline for 280 miles (San Francisco to Santa Barba) and then draws inland for 60 miles. The Pacific current flows in a southernly direction, meaning it takes the cold water of the Artic and pushes it down the coast, dragging the air above it in the same direction.
-San Luis Obispo Coast (AVA is in the Central Coast AVA), (SLO Coast), receives a marine climate that experience evening fog 55% of the growing season.
-Edna Valley AVA (AVA is in the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA), lies in a northwest-southeast direction. The wind is funneled into the valley causing this region to be cooler than almost all other parts of California.
-Paragon Vineyard is in the Western Edna Valley AVA, it is a windy coast site. It has the Santa Lucia Mountains to the west, and the Los Machos hills to the east. Lake Lopez to the south, Islay Hills to the north. The volcanic range, known as the Nine Sisters, helps create the soil found in the valley giving the grapes complexity.
About the Producer: John H. Niven has been rooted in Edna Valley’s wine industry for over 25 years, but his story started many decades earlier. His grandfather, Jack Niven, trailblazed the planting of San Luis Obispo’s modern-day vines in the early 1970’s and is considered the pioneer of the Edna Valley. He just happened to plant his historic Paragon Vineyard just after John was born. Little did he know that these plantings and his vision would determine the fate of the region. Decades later, this fate led John and his wife Lucy down the path to start their own winery, focusing on vibrant energetic white wines from the Edna Valley.
Since the late 1990’s, John has developed a family portfolio of expressive, innovative, world-renowned wines. Unfortunately, the company was sold, leaving John with the daunting task of tackling the next phase of his life. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, this drove John and Lucy to start Cadre and continue the determined quest to show the wine world the greatness of vibrant white wines from the Edna Valley. A passion, a vision, and a 2nd mortgage later, they are ready to continue this journey.