Oak Knoll, Napa Valley

A skin contact white that is all about the spice and rocky, mineral notes, rather than overt fruit. A little nutmeg, root ginger, toasted almonds and blossom. A real thinking wine.

The second vintage of this wine from Benevolent Neglect from the famous Bengier vineyard in Oak Knoll. Fermented using a submerged cap for minimal extraction.

Ribolla Gialla is an ancient variety that originated in Greece, and is mostly found in the north eastern Italy and across the border in Slovenia, where it is known as Rebula. Little seen elsewhere, this is really rather rare.

Established by east coast escapees, Ben Brenner and Matt Nagy, Benevolent Neglect got their break when winemaker Matt was fortunate to be offered some Syrah from the legendary Las Madres vineyard in 2013. Matt had previously produced 11 100-point wines at Maybach, whilst Ben works at Rutherford Wine Co. As the name suggests, they work with as little intervention as possible, “to be the reliable translator from what was made in the vineyard from sun, water and soil, and gently let it become finest wine possible.”