February 16, 2010 - A completely different animal and an exciting surprise with very few California white dessert wine peers at this high level of quality. 6 months of cold fermentation preserves huge aromas of orange blossom, caramel, and apricot with a touch of Sauternes-Botrytis character from this orange-gold wine. Almost a lite syrup and nectar-like, similar to the juice from a can of peaches with layers and layers of complex honey, mandarin orange, peach, dried apricot and a touch of walnut. Though aged in 100% new French oak, the only indication of so much cooperage is perhaps the layer of caramel, vanilla and spice. The long finish is full of maple, caramel and butterscotch. At 11% alcohol, this won’t knock you under the table. I would love to have this with a creme brule or foie gras.