Winemaker’s Notes

It is a little known fact that the first wine Leonetti Cellar would release was a White Riesling in 1978. While these early efforts would be abandoned to allow my father to focus his complete devotion to making world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, my palate was imbued and inspired by that sweet impression. Fast forward 30 years. With my palate further developed, the quest to create an incredible Riesling came to fruition though the virtues of my Figgins Estate Vineyard. One half-acre parcel, purposely escaped planting to Bordeaux varieties as it would be too cool to fully ripen that fruit but perfect for Riesling! The first vintage was made in 2010 - a mere 40 cases - thus, the wine only touched the lips of family and guests at our winemaker dinners. The response to the wine was so overwhelming we decided to release it commercially to our List members only.

Riesling can shine in so many interpretations from dessert to dry. The 2011 vintage is very dry. The wine shows off the incredible virtues of Figgins Estate. It has brilliant fruit, pear, florals, and pineapple but is backed by bracing and palate cleansing acidity. I'm excited to share this wine with you by "dusting off the bottle" and bringing my fathers' first efforts full circle in a fresh new interpretation.

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