2019 Faethm Fingers Crossed White

The 2019 White Wine Two Become One is rich, sumptuous and beautifully layered. There's good freshness and energy to play off all the natural richness. Lemon confit, tangerine oil and mint all come together. The blend is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Roussanne, a very different blend than the 2020 that follows it.

The 2019 Two Become One White is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Roussanne from the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard and Cumulus Vineyard. "We are building up to more Chardonnay in this each year," Julia and Nik Krankl explain, noting that there is an abundance of great Chardonnay in California but smaller amounts of great Roussanne—the 2020 vintage will have the largest percentage of Chardonnay yet. It was barrel fermented, underwent full malolactic conversion and matured on its lees for 21 months in 80% new french oak and 20% one- to two-year-old barrels. The nose offers slowly opening white peach and herbal undertones, with nuances of toast and lemon peel. Despite its generous ripeness, the palate balances concentrated, preserved citrus fruit with bright, juicy acidity. As it airs, it takes on deeper, savory bass tones, and it has a long, flavorful finish. Complex yet refreshing, this energetic white drinks wonderfully after a few hours in the decanter but promises to develop in bottle over the next 5 to 7+ years. 128 cases were made; it will be sold as a six-bottle set with one bottle of white wine, two bottles of Syrah and three bottles of Grenache ($685).

The 2019 White Wine Two Become One is a blend of Chardonnay and Roussanne from Sanford & Benedict and Cumulus respectively. Bright and airy in the glass, the 2019 is all grace. Lemon confit, chamomile, mint and white flowers are all beautifully lifted. I have to say, the combination of fruit from the Sta. Rita Hills and Oak View yields a compelling, elegant white that is seriously impressive. In 2019, the blend favors Chardonnay by a wide margin, while the 2018 was predominantly Roussanne.