Lemon meringue, ground cinnamon, poached green apple. Ripe dragon fruit, fresh honeysuckle, tart mirabelle plum. An impressively layered and multidimensional parade of pineapple core, lychee, kumquat, and grapefruit pith highlights a complex and vibrant fruit core playfully enhanced by hints of orange blossom, custard, and crushed mint. Pronounced bursts of plumeria, banana leaf, and fresh garden herbs expose a medley of lively tropical and natural overtones that meld with oak-derived impressions of toasted graham cracker and vanilla. Deeply-ingrained notes of honey, crushed walnut, and pecan emerge in a provocative display of oxidative and nutty charm that intersects with intriguing notions of iron, gravely earth, and white pepper. Expressive, open, and inviting on the nose before shifting towards something entirely more edgy and exotic palate; exhibiting an oily yet energetic mouthfeel woven with lightly bitter phenolic character that comes across as simultaneously rich and electric. Full bodied yet surprisingly linear and crisp thanks to a lively vein of high acidity. This 2017 Blanc Caché by Hidden Gallery Wines is a beguilingly bold and exceptionally unconventional proprietary white from Napa Valley.

Although tradition often has a strong influence on which grape varieties new world winemakers are comfortable blending, some more adventurous producers actively seek to eschew convention by crafting unique one-of-a-kind blends. This bottling, crafted by Hidden Gallery Wines using a blend of Marsanne/Viognier/Chardonnay sourced from Napa's famed Stagecoach Vineyard, is an outstanding example of the riveting deliciousness that can be achieved through non-traditional blends. This highly polished wine leads with an aromatic nose of ripe citrus, orchard, and tropical fruits overlaid with gorgeous oak and nutty notes, and yet its palate provides an electric and nervy experience that hits with zippy tartness while remaining honeyed and mouth-filling. This wine is completely unexpected yet extraordinarily well executed, and would be fascinating to follow as it ages for a decade or more. Outstanding.