Fresh apricot, river stones, candied pineapple. Sliced papaya, flower pollen, golden delicious apple. Astoundingly complex and expressive wafts of dried mango, cantaloupe, and lemon confit highlight a deep and remarkably layered display overlaid with perfumed floral aromas of honeysuckle, peonies, lavender, and white rose. Notes of sagebrush and thyme playfully reveal a well integrated medley of wild herbal notes further complicated by hints of coriander, white pepper, and intriguing spices. Suggestions of honeycomb, candle wax, and crème brûlée provide captivating textural decadence as earthy impressions of crushed rock and gravely minerality proudly assert pronounced reflections of terroir. Incredibly aromatic and outgoing on the nose while remaining bold and unctuous yet delightfully tense and balanced on the palate; exhibiting outstanding dimension and weight while still showing impressive composure and restraint. Medium plus in body while kept fresh by moderate acidity. This 2020 Rockgarden Vineyard Marsanne Roussanne by Pášxa Wines is a tremendously unique and complex white from the Walla Walla Valley.

Though internationally known primarily for the deep and complex red wines it produces, Washington & Oregon's Walla Walla Valley is also home to a number of incredibly compelling whites. This bottling, crafted by Pášxa Wines using a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne sourced from the Rockgarden Vineyard within the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, is an outstanding example of the incredible heights white wines can reach in this famed terroir. This deeply colored wine sings with ripe tropical, melon, and stone fruits complimented by aromatic floral tones, intriguing herbs, complex spices, stony earthiness, and wonderfully honeyed and waxy textural charm. Although absolutely delicious in its present state this would be a wonderful candidate for moderate-term cellaring, and will likely continue to develop positively for 5-10 years in bottle. Wow.