2022 Brecon True Acacia Head (Best of Show - White Wine!)
This is a Lion in a forest kind of wine. It really stands out in a virtual thicket of “Johnny come lately Albariño’s.” Now, I do suppose that it would be barrels from a stand of Acacia, in which this wine is slowly fermented, rather than a gnarly Oak woodland. BTW, the uniqueness of fermenting this wine in Acacia brings elegant white peach, nectarine, and citrusy nuances, giving it a zesty bite and a veritable roar of aromatics. Now in this clever tail, we all know Lions don’t roam the hallowed Forests of France but I would love to pair this wine with a golden sunset on the Serengeti.
Best of Class, Best of Show - White Wine. International Women's Wine Competition, June 2023
Double Gold, Best in Class, 99 pts. East Meets West Wine Challenge, September 2023
Gold, 94 pts. Sunset International Wine Competition, June 2023
95 pts. California State Fair Wine Competition, June 2023
Robinia Pseudoacacia (European Acacia or Black Locust) has been used in France for many generations on varietals such as Viognier or Sauvignon Blanc. In 2015 Brecon saw a natural affinity between these varietals and our cool coastal Albariño’s. What actually started as a winemaker's simple curiosity (a couple of Acacia Head barrels locked up under the stairs, à la Harry Potter) morphed into this exciting new wine style. P.S. It’s technically a false Acacia originating in the South Eastern USA.
