Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc 2008, California

Leave it to Robert Mondavi to create a sexy, sophisticated wine from a grape that no one wanted and wasn’t selling.  It was the 1960’s and Mondavi had received a batch of lovely Sauvignon Blanc grapes.  Knowing these would never sell made in the traditional California style of sweet and un-styled (everyone was drinking Chardonnay), he coined the term “Fume Blanc” after the great French “Pouilly-Fume” wines and added oak-aging to his.  Of course, this set off a whole new trend and a new wine was born!  The Ferrari-Carano at Ryan’s has the most wonderful scents of vanilla (from the oak aging) along with some citrus flavors of oranges and lemons.  The finish has a slight minerality to it (I like to tell people to imagine licking a stone!).  If you’re a Sauvignon Blanc fan, it is a MUST TRY!!