Starting off the whites and a blend of 50% Marsanne, 23% Roussanne, 18% Grenache Blanc and 9% Picpoul that had just been bottled at the time of this tasting, the 2012 Jaja White delivers an outstanding profile of crisp white peach, pear, orange blossom and hints of flowers to go with a laser focused palate. Certainly with a lean edge, it fleshes out nicely with air and has solid mid-palate depth, leading me to believe it will be better with another 6-12 months of bottle age. It should drink nicely for 5-7 years, if not longer, but I see no reason to cellar this either. Drink now- 2019. These wines are made by the talented Jon Meuret and feature incredibly pure, polished and perfectly balanced profiles that lean towards the lighter, fresher end of the spectrum. Nevertheless, they don’t lack for richness or depth and build on the palate. The 2010s, which I raved about last year, are still incredibly young, vibrant and in need of another handful of years in the cellar. The 2011s are made in the same vein and should have a similar trajectory. www.mbwinery.com

A blend of Marsanne, Chardonnay and Roussanne, this is bright, fruity, with an emphasis on the rind rather than the flesh of citrus and stone fruits. A streak of vanilla runs through the core, and the finish has some stiff, tannic edges. Well-crafted, and a superb food wine.——P.G.(7/1/2011)—— 90