2018 Aeris, Centennial Mountain Vineyard Bianco

The Aeris project, founded by the team behind Rhys Vineyards, focuses on cultivating Italian grape varieties on high-elevation sites in northern Sonoma County. This wine is made from Carricante grown at the Centennial Mountain Vineyard, a ridgetop site characterized by thin, rocky Franciscan shale and schist soils that help moderate vine vigor. In the glass, the 2018 shows distinct notes of pear, lemon zest, and stony minerality, supported by a full-bodied texture and firm acidity. The 2018 vintage benefited from a long, consistent growing season with cool nights, which allowed the grapes to develop intense flavor and retain structural brightness. This is a balanced, focused wine that is ready to enjoy now but possesses the acidity to age well in the cellar.