Toquade is French for “infatuation.” Christine Barbe is from Bordeaux, and makes this dry-farmed, single-vineyard SB in a style falling somewhere between Sancerre’s verve and Bordeaux Blanc's roundness. Her style is decidedly not Kiwi, however. No gooseberry/bubble gum stuff here. Just pure, transparent SB the way the grape's originators in the Loire intended.

The fruit comes from an organic, dry-farmed vineyard in Yountville that was planted in 1978.

The 2008 Toquade is two wines in one: When chilled, it exhibits classic SB notes of cut grass, citrus and minerals. As it warms, apple and pear show themselves, though always with a continued citric tanginess.

250 cases produced

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Penn Wine & Spirits

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P.D. O'Hurley's @ West End