Latah Creek Chenin Blanc 2023
For Latah Creek’s inaugural vintage in 1982, Mike crafted five varietals: two Chardonnays, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Chenin Blanc won a Best of Show Award at its first competition, catapulting Latah Creek into the spotlight for producing bright, well-balanced, and truly delightful wines, particularly whites. Over time, Chenin Blanc became their second most produced wine, following Johannisberg Riesling (now known simply as Riesling). The Chenin Blanc vines thrived, yielding an abundant harvest of exceptional fruit that could compete with the French Vouvray. Sadly, as tastes shifted, most growers replaced their Chenin Blanc vines with more popular varieties. However, Mike and Natalie were fortunate that one grower maintained his vineyard, allowing them to source Chenin Blanc grapes consistently over the years. While much of the Chenin Blanc was typically blended away, Natalie persuaded Mike to bottle a small quantity for the winery’s 37th Anniversary, and the response was overwhelmingly positive! Now, they allocate a limited amount of this wine for a varietal label, while the remainder is blended with their Riesling to create the base for their Huckleberry d’Latah. The tropical fruit and grassy notes beautifully enhance the huckleberry flavors.
