2022 Bokisch Vineyards Garnacha Blanca, Vista Luna Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi
Tasting Notes
Our Garnacha Blanca has a wonderful pale platinum color that glistens in your glass. It has ripe aromas of mango, green tea, orange peel, and orange liqueur. The palate has serious weight to it which emphasizes flavors of pomegranate juice, guava, donut peach, and apricot skin. The wine soaks into the mouth with a pleasant and zippy finish.
Liz Bokisch suggests pairing this with a Burata Panzanella Salad!
Our Vineyards
Vista Luna is a 140 acre parcel in the Borden Ranch AVA in Lodi, CA. This organically farmed vineyard was originally planted in 2006. The Zinfandel goes to some of the most highly respected wineries in the Napa Valley. The Chardonnay and Petite Sirah are sold to the largest organic winery in the United States.
Specs
Composition: 93% Garnacha Blanca, 7% Albarino
Borden Ranch - Lodi, CA
Alcohol: 13.9%
Brix at Harvest: 22.5
Clone Selection: Rasteau
Aging: 5 months in 100% neutral French Oak
Soil Types: Volcanic Gravelly Clay Loam
Production: 392 cases
Winemaker: Elyse Perry
2022 Bokisch Vineyards Verdejo, Clay Station Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi
Tasting Notes
This skin-contacted white wine features a bright hay color with flecks of sea green as it moves in your glass. It has bright aromas of jasmine, Honeydew melon, candied cola, agave, and unripe pineapple. It has ripe weighty and tropical flavors of mango, fresh Navel orange juice, citrus soda, and white peach with a long and unctuous finish.
Liz suggests pairing this with Pad Thai noodles and kung pao chicken!
Our Vineyards
The steep rolling hills of Clay Station, the most ancient soils that Bokisch Vineyards farms are over 450,000 years old! The earth here is depleted of nutrients and organic matter, which serves well to control the inherent vigor of Verdejo. We found this is a perfect location for whites and reds. Our Verdejo thrives in the soils along with Malbec and Petit Syrah.
Specs
Composition: 96% Verdejo, 4% Albariño
Borden Ranch - Lodi, CA
Clay Station Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.2%
Brix at Harvest: 22.5
Clone Selection: Reuda
Aging: Fermented and aged in neutral French oak for 4 months
Soil Types: Redding Gravelly Clay Loam
Production: 224 Cases
Winemaker: Elyse Perry
What’s Included
4-bottles:
2x 2022 Bokisch Vineyards Garnacha Blanca, Vista Luna Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi
2x 2022 Bokisch Vineyards Verdejo, Clay Station Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi Case:
6x 2022 Bokisch Vineyards Garnacha Blanca, Vista Luna Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi
6x 2022 Bokisch Vineyards Verdejo, Clay Station Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi
Markus and Liz Bokisch having been producing award-winning Spanish varietals since the early 2000s. With hearts and heritage of Spain, their inspiration to produce Spanish varietal wines began by directly importing budwood from select vineyards in Spain, creating Bokisch Vineyards, nestled in the Clements Hills of the Lodi AVA.
Liz & Markus met at UC Davis and moved to Spain in 1992 traveling across the country in their 1967, blue VW Bus. Markus worked in the famous Cava producing town of Sant Saduri d’Anoia in the wine business, and Liz taught English classes. They soon fell in love with Spanish foods and wine and were determined to try producing domestic Spanish varietal wines upon their return to California.
In 1995 they purchased their Terra Alta Vineyards property in the Clements Hills, and in 1998 they imported budwood from specially selected vineyards in Spain. They planted their Las Cerezas Vineyard of Spanish varietals with one acre each of Albariño, Tempranillo and Graciano.
They began making wine from their estate-grown and organically farmed fruit in 2000. The Bokisch Vineyards label currently produces nine Spanish varieties including Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo, Garnacha and Monastrell. In 2012 they began experimenting with other unique small lot production by introducing the Tizona label which produces varieties such as Malbec, Petit Verdot, Old Vine Zin and specialty blends.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Ratting the 2022 Bokisch Vineyards Garnacha Blanca
tonight:
Just got back from a Red Lobster dinner with a friend, so I’m already quite buzzed, which is gonna make drinking the entire bottle of this a daunting proposition. But I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s do this thing (live, as always, which is why you’re getting this review (checks watch) after 2 AM).
First up, this isn’t one of those bone-dry whites. It definitely has a sweet kick to it. It’s well-balanced, and hits all flavor zones of the tongue pretty evenly. Not a dessert wine by any means, but you can totally have this with sweets and it’ll be perfectly fine. Maybe try something cheese-based?
In the glass, it looks exactly like it does in the bottle, which is exactly like it does in the photo. No legs, and clears up fast on the walls of the complimentary Casemates glass that came with the bottle. There’s also a phenomenon I haven’t seen before: little air bubbles on the bottom of the glass and don’t go away even if the wine is agitated. They almost look like little undissolved sugar crystals, but no, just air.
Just a little acidity, and almost no tannins. It’s not too sour or puckery, though it’s definitely a bit chalky. It doesn’t “tingle” like some drier whites.
I’m not keen on smells in general, and especially since I had COVID recently, so my take on this is probably unreliable at best, and vintner treason at worst. But they told me I have to entertain or they cut away my access to the alcohol gravy train, so here goes: you know those super-cheap “chemistry playset” liquors you can get from the discount bin at the booze shop? This gives me that same ester-esque vibe as one of those things:
It doesn’t smell bad by any means. It’s just that all the rods and cones in my nostrils have more unresolved issues than my patient file at the psychiatrist’s office.
For tasting notes, aside from “green apple,” which is how I’d describe every single white wine I ever drank, something about this one reminds me of pineapple. Yeah, imagine a pineapple with the sugars removed, and I think it would be pretty close. On a side note, please don’t remove the sugars from a pineapple, as that would make me really upset.
Also, it’s got this salty/briny sort of mouthfeel and aftertaste to it, like a mouthful of ocean breeze (feel free to use that in your marketing copy, in exchange for more free wine).
For pairings, best I can do for you is that a fourth glass of this goes perfectly with rage-shouting into the microphone after coming in 10th in Plunderstorm (the new World of Warcraft battle royale mode for the non-gamers out there).
I was going to try it with a piece of cheese, but no, I’m too angry for that right now. I already got cheesed plenty by that god-damn Dwarf and his Fire Whirl bullshit.
Since the glass is broken now, I’m going to finish off the rest of the wine directly from the bottle, and see if it helps with the next match. If I don’t say anything else, it’s probably because I put my keyboard through the drywall.
In conclusion, if you like off-dry white wines, this is probably a decent buy. I liked it more than other white wines I’ve ratted here, though I’m really hoping to get a red next time.
@ShotgunX My Boheme, I am curious to learn what beverage choices were made at Red Lobster that left you buzzed. I know it’s a big assumption that it was a beverage.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Bokisch Vineyards Mixed Whites - $45 = 27.27%
So? any Wine Enthusiasm? Sure there is…
Verdejo:
87 points. There’s a juiciness and a plushy texture that give the perception of a bit of sweetness and to this medium-bodied Verdejo. Find notes of lemon, lime, Granny Smith apple, pineapple rind, lime leaf, jasmine blossom and agave nectar. — Stacy Briscoe 9/1/23
This might be the Garnacha Blanca review…it mentions Clay Station/Borden not Vista Luna/Borden and Picpoul not Albarino as the 7%…but it doesn’t appear they made two different bottlings…so large grain of salt on this one:
87 points. An overall balanced white offering notes of white blossom, white peach, lemon and lime. Made from 93% Garnacha Blanca (aka Grenache Blanc) with 7% Picpoul in the mix. — Stacy Briscoe 9/1/23
yes I did. My order arrived today. 6 albarino no verdejo. clicked the I have a problem with my purchase and
Caitlin in customer service was very helpful. My guess is it happened to everyone.
2022 Bokisch Vineyards Garnacha Blanca, Vista Luna Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi
Tasting Notes
Our Vineyards
Specs
2022 Bokisch Vineyards Verdejo, Clay Station Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi
Tasting Notes
Our Vineyards
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$348.00/Case for 6x 2022 Bokisch Vineyards Garnacha Blanca, Vista Luna Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi + 6x 2022 Bokisch Vineyards Verdejo, Clay Station Vineyard, Borden Ranch, Lodi at Bokisch Vineyards
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Apr 15 - Wednesday, Apr 17
Bokisch Vineyards Mixed Whites
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2022 Bokisch Vineyards Garnacha Blanca
2022 Bokisch Vineyards Verdejo
Ratting the
2022 Bokisch Vineyards Garnacha Blanca
tonight:
Just got back from a Red Lobster dinner with a friend, so I’m already quite buzzed, which is gonna make drinking the entire bottle of this a daunting proposition. But I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s do this thing (live, as always, which is why you’re getting this review (checks watch) after 2 AM).
First up, this isn’t one of those bone-dry whites. It definitely has a sweet kick to it. It’s well-balanced, and hits all flavor zones of the tongue pretty evenly. Not a dessert wine by any means, but you can totally have this with sweets and it’ll be perfectly fine. Maybe try something cheese-based?
In the glass, it looks exactly like it does in the bottle, which is exactly like it does in the photo. No legs, and clears up fast on the walls of the complimentary Casemates glass that came with the bottle. There’s also a phenomenon I haven’t seen before: little air bubbles on the bottom of the glass and don’t go away even if the wine is agitated. They almost look like little undissolved sugar crystals, but no, just air.
Just a little acidity, and almost no tannins. It’s not too sour or puckery, though it’s definitely a bit chalky. It doesn’t “tingle” like some drier whites.
I’m not keen on smells in general, and especially since I had COVID recently, so my take on this is probably unreliable at best, and vintner treason at worst. But they told me I have to entertain or they cut away my access to the alcohol gravy train, so here goes: you know those super-cheap “chemistry playset” liquors you can get from the discount bin at the booze shop? This gives me that same ester-esque vibe as one of those things:
It doesn’t smell bad by any means. It’s just that all the rods and cones in my nostrils have more unresolved issues than my patient file at the psychiatrist’s office.
For tasting notes, aside from “green apple,” which is how I’d describe every single white wine I ever drank, something about this one reminds me of pineapple. Yeah, imagine a pineapple with the sugars removed, and I think it would be pretty close. On a side note, please don’t remove the sugars from a pineapple, as that would make me really upset.
Also, it’s got this salty/briny sort of mouthfeel and aftertaste to it, like a mouthful of ocean breeze (feel free to use that in your marketing copy, in exchange for more free wine).
For pairings, best I can do for you is that a fourth glass of this goes perfectly with rage-shouting into the microphone after coming in 10th in Plunderstorm (the new World of Warcraft battle royale mode for the non-gamers out there).
I was going to try it with a piece of cheese, but no, I’m too angry for that right now. I already got cheesed plenty by that god-damn Dwarf and his Fire Whirl bullshit.
Since the glass is broken now, I’m going to finish off the rest of the wine directly from the bottle, and see if it helps with the next match. If I don’t say anything else, it’s probably because I put my keyboard through the drywall.
In conclusion, if you like off-dry white wines, this is probably a decent buy. I liked it more than other white wines I’ve ratted here, though I’m really hoping to get a red next time.
@ShotgunX The sort of rattage that lives up to its name. Bravo/a!
@ShotgunX I t think this is the way to rat, write as you drink the whole bottle.
@ShotgunX My Boheme, I am curious to learn what beverage choices were made at Red Lobster that left you buzzed. I know it’s a big assumption that it was a beverage.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Bokisch Vineyards Mixed Whites - $45 = 27.27%
So? any Wine Enthusiasm? Sure there is…
Verdejo:
87 points. There’s a juiciness and a plushy texture that give the perception of a bit of sweetness and to this medium-bodied Verdejo. Find notes of lemon, lime, Granny Smith apple, pineapple rind, lime leaf, jasmine blossom and agave nectar. — Stacy Briscoe 9/1/23
This might be the Garnacha Blanca review…it mentions Clay Station/Borden not Vista Luna/Borden and Picpoul not Albarino as the 7%…but it doesn’t appear they made two different bottlings…so large grain of salt on this one:
87 points. An overall balanced white offering notes of white blossom, white peach, lemon and lime. Made from 93% Garnacha Blanca (aka Grenache Blanc) with 7% Picpoul in the mix. — Stacy Briscoe 9/1/23
A little blurb from Grape-Nutz here
fwiw
@kaolis
That blurb reminds me quite a bit like the last RPM tour as we visited some of those producers
FWIW, nice write-up in the SF Chronicle on the verdejo.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wineoftheweek/article/This-underrated-Spanish-style-white-wine-tastes-16183814.php
Personally I like a lot of Spanish whites that I’ve tried, so I’m willing to give this one a shot.
Did anyone else end up getting Albarino instead of Verdejo when their shipment arrived?
yes I did. My order arrived today. 6 albarino no verdejo. clicked the I have a problem with my purchase and
Caitlin in customer service was very helpful. My guess is it happened to everyone.
Blame it on the UC Bankruptcy