2023 Cadre Sea Queen Albarino, San Louis Obispo, Edna Valley, California

100% Albariño. 

Pale lemon, with flecks of gold in color. Spring aromatics of fruit cup citrus, mineral, and salty zest. Lighter aromatics of honeydew melon, tangerine, exotic fruits, and spice. Additional flavors Asian pear, ripe pineapple, white flower, tropical fruit, with a ripe apricot finish. This is a tangy dry wine with medium-plus acidity that tickles the tongue offering structure and balance to the wine. The salinity is reminiscent of a Raxis Bias, Spanish Alberino but with a touch more shoulder in this version, medium body and medium plus flavor intensity. Think white flowers, tropical fruit, and a beach which linger on to a medium-plus finish.

Lucy & John Niven have driven and dedicated passion to their "Cadre" (a small group that has been specifically chosen to band together and promote a greater cause); In this case, this is a Cadre of cool climate small production wine that is out to show the wine world the greatness of the lively, high acid, energetic and mineral driven cool climate white wines from the Edna Valley. 

Rooted in Edna Valley’s wine industry for over 25 years, with a story starting many decades earlier. John's grandfather, Jack Niven trailblazed the planting of San Luis Obispo’s modern day vines in the early 1970’s and is considered the pioneer of the Edna Valley. Little did he know that these plantings and his vision would determine the fate of the region.  Decades later, this fate led my wife, Lucy, and I down the path to start our own winery focusing on vibrant energetic white wines from the Edna Valley.