Dried orange peel, morel mushroom, candied apricot. Dehydrated pineapple, crushed toffee, spiced persimmon. Damp leaves and potpourri, honeysuckle and bergamot tea. Lemon preserve, marmalade, and citrus oil intertwine harmoniously with forest floor and honeycomb in a marvel of dazzling tertiary aromatics. Caramel and maple sap battle with sweet geranium and complex spice in a remarkably expressive and almost dessert-like bouquet. White pepper and brazil nut continue the theme of spiced, developed, lightly oxidative characteristics underlaid by notes of organic soil and umami. Tart and bone dry on the palate, diverting drastically from a nose that could almost be mistaken for high-end Sauternes, pulsing with elevated acidity that easily moves this full bodied wine gracefully through its paces. Expressive, intense, unconventional, and unbelievably fun. This 2015 "Chrysos" White Wine Cuvée by Le Cuvier Winery is an unexpected and amazingly executed skin fermented white from Paso Robles.

Le Cuvier has long been one of the most unique, dynamic, and playfully weird producers in California's central coast, and their courageous and avant-garde approach to winemaking seems to never decelerate. This new release, crafted by Le Cuvier using a blend of 60% Viognier and 40% Rousanne sourced from West Paso Robles, is an extraordinarily complex, interesting, and delicious bottling. Just like all Le Cuvier white wines this saw extended skin contact during fermentation, which in combination with years spent aging in neutral barrels has endowed it with a gorgeous nearly amber color in the glass. It is extremely intellectual, contemplative, and complex in character, yet still remains quite fresh, delicious, and drinkable. This is truly a wine nerd's dream and has been an immense pleasure to experience.
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