2019 Handley Cellars Pinot Blanc, Mendocino County
Tasting Notes
This Pinot Blanc from the Schrader Vineyard in Ukiah immediately draws you in with its sunny nature and aromas of spring flowers, apricot blossoms, and musk melon. Fermented primarily in stainless steel. Near the end of fermentation, racked to a traditional oak foudre and smaller neutral oak barrels. Exposure to small amounts of oxygen and the tannins in the neutral oak helped to clarify and soften the wine. Stirring on the yeast lees added a creamy texture. Blessed with juicy melon and pineapple flavors, along with hints of macadamia nuts. Round and full on the palate with a tingling of pineapple on finish.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Pinot Blanc
Appellation: Mendocino County
Alcohol: 13.6%
Titratable acidity: 4.8g/L
pH: 3.50
Residual Sugar: 0.06%
Production: 259 Cases
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2019 Handley Cellars Pinot Blanc, Mendocino County
Case:
12x 2019 Handley Cellars Pinot Blanc, Mendocino County
Handley Cellars is a small, family-owned winery in California’s Mendocino County. Bonded in 1982, we produce around 9000 cases of wine a year. Our quality starts with our CCOF Certified Organic Estate Vineyards in Anderson Valley. We are located at the northwest end of the Anderson Valley on 59 acres of the original Guntly Ranch. Still standing on the property are the now-refurbished ranch house, plus the barn and water tower, all of which were constructed in the early 20th century.
Founding Winemaker Milla Handley sought to make balanced wines that possess distinctive varietal characteristics and reflect the soil and climate in which they were grown. Our current winemaker, Randy Schock, carries on this tradition, crafting elegant, fruit-driven wines which complement a wide variety of cuisines. Milla’s daughter Lulu now runs Handley Cellars, with the help of her husband Scott Handley and their baby son Golden.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Wine Enthusiast:
88 Points. Smooth and subtle, this full-bodied wine features hints of vanilla, butter and light toast alongside a generous Bosc pear impression. It has the feel of a Chardonnay with a slight twist toward savory flavors in addition to fruity ones. JG 11/1/21
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Handley Cellars Pinot Blanc - $50 = 27.76%
HANDLEY Mendocino County Pinot Blanc 2019
Much thanks to Alice for the email and getting the bottle delivered Yesterday (Thursday). Despite my begging off from Ratting since I contracted Covid almost 2 years ago and lost my sense of smell and taste, I guess it’s time to bite the bullet. Disclaimer-> My senses are still not recovered 100%.
Upon screw off and pour after 20-30 minutes out of the fridge, a light straw color, with a light aroma of white flower, quince and gooseberry to a lesser extent and no alcohol despite pretty long lasting legs. initial taste was bright and slightly sour, sharp and tart, a hint of oak, and a tight puckerish medium to long lasting effect on the palate. Dry, and more mineral and flint although I could faintly discern a bit of green fruit but this isn’t fruity by any means.
With a few more minutes in the glass to warm up and breathe a bit, I taste more alcohol. the bouquet reveals more fruit perhaps green apple, adding a bit of melon to the mix. the finish is long with a full mouth feel and layered with astringency.
I think this wine would benefit with food, perhaps something in a cream sauce to offset the acidity and for more nuances to surface. Of course I had nothing on hand to pair with it, sorry.
This wine is not something I would normally prefer to consume, I prefer something softer and more rounded. It may be nice to have on hand as a comparison for other Pinot Blanc styles and regions.
I’ll post an update in the comments below if I get a chance to pair with any food or have a Day 2 tasting early.
Sorry for the late post. Just saw the Casemates offer price. For such a limited production this is a real bargain if this type of Pinot Blanc is in your wheelhouse.
@HandleyCellars
Good morning, and welcome.
Just added your vintner banner to make your posts easier to locate.
Could you kindly identify yourself and association with Handley for the group? I then can get your comments highlighted at the top of the thread.
@rjquillin Hello there! I am one of our small but mighty team members with Handley and thrilled to be featured today!
If you are a member of the technical team or Casemates otherwise, can you please place the vintner podcast in place of the rock video you have currently posted?
In addition, the wine is beautifully paired with so many things in addition to be a standalone wine. Can that portion of the offering be adjusted as well? please email us at info@handleycellars.com for further clarification.
@HandleyCellars@rjquillin
Greetings! RJ is a volunteer moderator on the forum, to clarify his role here.
Your vintner voicemail can be found just below that music video. Perhaps someone remembered to add it after you mentioned it. Ordinarily it would be in that spot at the time the sale launches.
2019 Handley Cellars Pinot Blanc, Mendocino County
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$259.20/Case for 12x 2019 Handley Cellars Pinot Blanc, Mendocino County at Handley Cellars
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Friday, Nov 25 - Monday, Nov 28
2019 Handley Cellars Pinot Blanc
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $129.99 $10.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Wine Enthusiast:
88 Points. Smooth and subtle, this full-bodied wine features hints of vanilla, butter and light toast alongside a generous Bosc pear impression. It has the feel of a Chardonnay with a slight twist toward savory flavors in addition to fruity ones. JG 11/1/21
fwiw
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Handley Cellars Pinot Blanc - $50 = 27.76%
@chipgreen Thank you for the inquiry!
We are so excited to be featured by Casemates.
One single bottle retail value is $24. This offer, as all from Casemates, is a special at great value and below retail cost.
it is one to be scooped up quickly!
I am a big fan of Handley Pinot… Noir. Didn’t know they made a Pinot Blanc.
@chipgreen We hope you enjoy it!
HANDLEY Mendocino County Pinot Blanc 2019
Much thanks to Alice for the email and getting the bottle delivered Yesterday (Thursday). Despite my begging off from Ratting since I contracted Covid almost 2 years ago and lost my sense of smell and taste, I guess it’s time to bite the bullet. Disclaimer-> My senses are still not recovered 100%.
Upon screw off and pour after 20-30 minutes out of the fridge, a light straw color, with a light aroma of white flower, quince and gooseberry to a lesser extent and no alcohol despite pretty long lasting legs. initial taste was bright and slightly sour, sharp and tart, a hint of oak, and a tight puckerish medium to long lasting effect on the palate. Dry, and more mineral and flint although I could faintly discern a bit of green fruit but this isn’t fruity by any means.
With a few more minutes in the glass to warm up and breathe a bit, I taste more alcohol. the bouquet reveals more fruit perhaps green apple, adding a bit of melon to the mix. the finish is long with a full mouth feel and layered with astringency.
I think this wine would benefit with food, perhaps something in a cream sauce to offset the acidity and for more nuances to surface. Of course I had nothing on hand to pair with it, sorry.
This wine is not something I would normally prefer to consume, I prefer something softer and more rounded. It may be nice to have on hand as a comparison for other Pinot Blanc styles and regions.
I’ll post an update in the comments below if I get a chance to pair with any food or have a Day 2 tasting early.
Sorry for the late post. Just saw the Casemates offer price. For such a limited production this is a real bargain if this type of Pinot Blanc is in your wheelhouse.
We are so excited to be a part of this special offer.
Handley Cellars delivers exceptional value for such an outstanding Alsatian varietal coming out of California.
Appealing to all senses, this wine is a crowd pleaser!!!
@HandleyCellars
Good morning, and welcome.
Just added your vintner banner to make your posts easier to locate.
Could you kindly identify yourself and association with Handley for the group? I then can get your comments highlighted at the top of the thread.
@rjquillin Hello there! I am one of our small but mighty team members with Handley and thrilled to be featured today!
If you are a member of the technical team or Casemates otherwise, can you please place the vintner podcast in place of the rock video you have currently posted?
In addition, the wine is beautifully paired with so many things in addition to be a standalone wine. Can that portion of the offering be adjusted as well? please email us at info@handleycellars.com for further clarification.
Much appreciated!
@HandleyCellars @rjquillin
Greetings! RJ is a volunteer moderator on the forum, to clarify his role here.
Your vintner voicemail can be found just below that music video. Perhaps someone remembered to add it after you mentioned it. Ordinarily it would be in that spot at the time the sale launches.
Thank you!