Eric Forest Petite Arvine 'Les Raffos' 2018

A very special, very limited release of Petite Arvine, a native grape to the Valais in Switzerland and a pet project (and labor of love) for winemaker Eric Forest. Eric’s family used to vacation in the Valais, where his father would collect and bring home many bottles of the region’s expressive wines — and Eric quickly was enchanted with their unique flavors. Not so many years ago, Eric met a local grower from the village of Fully who tends a small parcel of massal selection Petite Arvine vines organically; and a partnership was made. Grapes are grown and harvested and then vinified in underground caves in Fully, in barrels that used to hold Eric’s Pouilly-Fuissé ‘Les Crays’ wines, and which he brings to Fully himself. Here the high-altitude vibrancy of the Valais’ native flavors meets the broad, supple texture of white Burgundy from the Mâconnais! A delicate wine in its aromas, very expressive in its flavors of citrus marmalade, cardamom and wild mountain herbs.