Wine LibraryDarst Ranch Vineyard, John Dale Vineyard
Rebecca Caroline
2023 Blanc du Bois
100% Blanc du Bois
- Vintage2023
- TypeSparkling
- StyleUltra Brut
- AppellationAustin County, Washington County
- VineyardDarst Ranch Vineyard, John Dale Vineyard
- DrinkDrink before 2035
- ServeServe at 45°F
- WinemakerSeth Urbanek
- ABV
- 12%
- TA
- 6.33 g/L
- pH
- 3.25
- Cases Made
- 75
When to drink it
Drinking at its peak - chill wellDrink before 2035
Tasting Notes
A wild and tropical set of aromas positively burst from the glass. Blanc du Bois is not tamed by the structure and finesse of the traditional method, but lengthy autolysis has drawn out the purity within the hybrid variety - lemon grass, charred key lime, buttery pastry, and lychee. Bright acidity; bone dry.
The Vintage
Rain and mild temperatures early - Weeks-long heat spikes - Lean and delicate wines
Winemaking
Hand-picked early. Press fractioned twice and fermented in stainless steel tank. Malolactic conversion was allowed to finish fully. Second fermentation spurred in bottle. Stayed for 30 months on the lees. Riddled, then disgorged in February 2026. Resealed with zero dosage.
Food Pairing
Seafood, fresh herbs, vinaigrette, and any citrus. Also friendly alongside spicy, highly flavored snacks or meals.
The Vineyard
In East Texas, growers with just a couple of acres of vines plant Blanc du Bois on green hillsides with constant cool breezes during ripening. Nancy and Paul Darst have been doing so since 2017, and Mr. John Dale since 2007. The grapevines are trained high via the Watson training method, which promotes airflow in the humid and rainy half of Texas nearer the coast.
Vine maturity: 6 to 16 years
Soil: Sandy loam of varying depths atop a layer of clay
Elevation: Average 300 feet
This expressive hybrid variety is the most planted white grape in Texas due to its resilience in humidity.