INSIDER'S PICK: 2018 BROC CELLARS 'LOVE WHITE' MADERA COUNTY $20.99

California is a massive state with immense diversity of climates. Many of the famous growing areas gained their reputation as much from their proximity to high population centers as the quality of their wines, while more remote areas just barely scratch the surface of their potential. On the plus side, the wineries that strive to find those hidden gems can usually source fruit at a better price and deliver better values to the consumer. Broc Cellars is part of the new wave of 'hands off' winemakers, using native yeasts for fermentations, adding no outside agents during the process, and using as little SO2 as possible at bottling. The fruit for this wine comes from the Love Ranch vineyard that sits WELL off the beaten wine paths just South of Yosemite in Madera County. The isolated high altitude vineyard gives them the opportunity to dial in the farming exactly the way they want to, and still keep the pricing lower than in a more 'in demand' area. For a category of wines where it's hard to find true values, this is one that definitely over-delivers.

Built entirely from co-fermented white Rhone varieties (Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Picpoul) farmed from the Love Ranch, the aromas burst almost immediately with tangy apples and musky melons, like fresh cut fruits at a farmers market. Some natural wines veer into the sour/cidery realm, but this stay fresh and pretty, the natural processes just tamping down the tropical or overtly floral tones. The palate is a bit quieter at first, quenching and apple filled, but gets juicier and more mouth filling as it opens up. The finish is the most complex part with melon and almost almond-y tones building with a long lingering fruit skin texture that hangs around for much longer than expected. This is a great Spring wine to pair with a diversity of lighter foods, especially things with a splash of citrus or vinegar.

---