2021 Stolpman 'Uni' Roussanne Chardonnay Ballard Canyon

Winemaker Notes: A depth of honeysuckle elevated via a pineapple bridge to lemon+lime and crunchy pear flesh. Softly billowing in the mouth closing with a precise, clean finish. The most balanced Uni yet, with complementing forces of ripe, rich Roussanne and high-toned Chardonnay. The underlying citrus spray refines and checks the intense concentration of the Roussanne and the wine delivers a delightfully seamless tasting experience.

Roussanne might be the richest, most decadent white grape in the world of wine. Ripe fruit intensity, and a coating, thick mid-palate deliver a hedonistic “wow” factor not often found in white wines. Because Roussanne spends months ripening on the vine, slowly developing its signature flavor concentration, the tart acidity of the grape often dwindles by harvest time. At Stolpman, we decided zesty Chardonnay would be the perfect blending compliment. The Chardonnay lends a structured back-bone that refreshes the palate once the Roussanne’s up-front wave of flavor ebbs. Like Santa Barbara’s most famous delicacy, urchin harvested off our Channel Islands, the Uni white wine combines decadent richness with delicate precision. We originally created Uni in 2016 as an exclusive for the Uchi sushi group out of Austin, Texas. Word quickly got out about the wine, with the help of SommTV’s promotion of Uni alongside the release of the Delicacy film.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 2021 Uni White is a blend of 70% Roussanne and 30% Chardonnay matured in neutral 500-liter puncheons. The nose is nutty and yeasty with a core of burnt lemon and floral potpourri, and the medium-bodied palate is yeasty and refreshing with a long, textural finish. Best After 2022"


Wine Enthusiast - "This blend of 70% Roussanne and 30% Chardonnay features a sea urchin sketch on the label. The wine is aptly crafted for its namesake, with enough heft and acidity to pair with the shellfish's briny richness. Aromas of cantaloupe, white flower and light wool lead into a palate where lime pith and melon meet cold steel minerality."