Deep gold gold color; pineapple, lemon, dried apricot, apple, peach, salty minerality, brioche, baking spice, flowers on the nose and palate.
Dry (2.03 g/L RS), hint of honey thanks to ripeness, dash of residual sugar, and grape’s characteristics. Minimal tannins; excellent acidity (3.22 pH; 7.5 g/L TA). Medium body. Salty minerality adds to a lengthy, sophisticated finish. Made with 98% petit manseng, 2% sauvignon blanc obtained from three Virginia vineyards. Fermented, aged in large-format barrels (500-1000L), 15% new European oak. After 12 months, moved to stainless steel. Aged on the lees for 14 months. Early Mountain uses a “perpetual lees barrel” technique with lees from vintages back to 2017 to add richness and complexity. Full malolactic conversion tones down petit manseng’s assertive acidity. 13.9% ABV
Early spring frosts did not inflict significant harm. Spring and early summer saw rain, which thankfully stopped at bloomtime. Then more showers, making 2022 wetter than 2021. Late season rains were followed by welcome drying for the harvest. There was significant diurnal shift which allowed for vineyards to fully ripen prior to the arrival of the remnants of Hurricane Ian.
Petit manseng originated in the Béarn region of southwestern France, with cultivation dating back at least to the 16th century. Henry IV of France reportedly was baptized with drops of Jurançon wine made from petit manseng. While France still is the globe’s largest producer, Virginia is the second-largest. Petit manseng can produce dry, mineral-driven wines such as this effort, also very sweet dessert wines. High acidity and aromatics are signatures in both styles. The grape’s loose cluster formation and small, thick-skinned berries provide natural resistance to bunch rot, a valuable trait in Virginia’s humid climate.
Early Mountain Vineyards owner Jean Case also is chairman of the National Geographic Society and CEO of the Case Impact Network and the Case Foundation. Prior to that, she was a senior executive for 20 years at AOL. She is married to AOL co-founder Steve Chase. Jean and her husband co-founded the Case Foundation in 1997 to apply entrepreneurial approaches to philanthropy and social challenges. In 2011, the couple joined the Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes
The website notes Jean “is a philanthropist, investor and internet and impact investing pioneer who is a passionate believer in the power of business to do good.” Early Mountain directs all profits toward strengthening Virginia communities and encouraging growth, innovation, and learning in the Virginia wine industry.
Maya Hood White is the winemaker and viticulturalist. She earned a MS in viticulture and enology from UC-Davis. Maya is an advocate of environmentally low-impact viticulture. Julia Graves is the assistant winemaker. She earned a MS in vine, wine, and terroir management from Ecole Supérieure d’Agricultures. She studied viticulture in Spain, Italy, and France before completing her thesis at Fresno State University.
Early Mountain Petit Manseng, Virginia 2022 is tasty, energetic product of Virginia’s signature white grape. Delivers tropical richness, electric acidity, silky mouthfeel. Savory depth and complexity, in part due to the winery’s unique perpetual lees barrel technique. Refined pleasure. $46-60
Pairing—Asian cuisine, Thai green curry, coconut chicken soup, Pad Thai, lemongrass prawns, spicy tuna roll, sushi, stir fry teriyaki chicken. Grilled and roasted fish, halibut with heurre blanc, baked cod, salmon with apple cider glaze; coconut shrimp, oysters, briny shellfish. Roasted or grilled pork, pork tenderloin, pork roast, honey-baked ham with pineapple. Fresh salads featuring fruit, nuts, light vinaigrettes. Grilled vegetables. Cheese—Brie, aged camembert, Brillat-Savarin, double/triple cream cheese; gruyère, aged gouda, aged cheddar; stilton, other English blue cheeses, roquefort, gorgonzola; fresh chèvre, aged goat cheese. Charcuterie, pear and gruyère crostini with toasted walnuts; mixed boards with cured meats, nuts, fruit preserves, variety of cheeses.
Early Mountain Vineyard website
