There are wineries and wines we yearn to put in front of you. This is one of them.

Our very first Halcon offering! Now with Pax! AND Baron?!

Three recent Antonio Galloni’s Vinous quotes might help explain our excitement:

1. “Pax Mahle is one of the most thoughtful, articulate winemakers in Sonoma.”
2. “Marine Layer is one of the most fascinating new projects in Sonoma.”
3. “Pax fans will also want to check out the new Halcon Estate, which Mahle purchased with Baron Ziegler of Marine Layer in 2021.”

The results are simply magical - as evidenced by the just released 94 point score from Wine Advocate that dropped mere days after we bought it. Exactly what we expect from two veterans with a long history of building much loved brands like Wind Gap and Banshee.

That’s the good news. But there’s a touch of bad as well.

The few old vines powering this Hermitage doppelganger got grafted over to Syrah. So, this 2021 vintage is a one-off swan song. A short-lived blip on the radar, for now at least. That fact alone makes it super-collectible, even if it didn’t have the 94 points and over 50% OFF going on.

Which is why we took on ALL THEY MADE. Sadly, not enough to last the day, however.

What to expect in the glass? It’s a perfect play between the dominance of Marsanne and the exotic elements of the Roussanne. The former providing richness and structure, with that unmistakable oiliness that helps it glide down your palate, and the Roussanne adding exotic stone fruit and citrus pith, litheness, and mineral depth. Finish all that with a layer of Viognier delivering perfumy floral nuances and freshness to a long and worth-the-$80 complex finish.

If you like your whites on the geeky side or are just singing the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay), this is the mind-expanding wine you need to broaden your vinous horizon.

As San Francisco Chronicle wrote “Halcon has always been a wine nerd’s secret… Maybe it was because the wines would often sell out, thanks to word of mouth before they ever hit the shelf.”

Not today, and not anymore baby! Our shelves may be virtual, but this actually will sell out fast.

94 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “Pax Mahle, proprietor of Pax Wines, and Baron Ziegler, founder of Marine Layer Wines and CEO of importer Valkyrie Selections, purchased the Halcon Estate in 2021, and this small lineup represents the first release under their ownership. Located in the Yorkville Highlands appellation of Mendocino County, Halcon was originally planted in 2005. At 2,500 feet of elevation, above the fog yet subjected to coastal winds, it’s one of the highest-elevation vineyards in California. Rare mica-schist, shale, and quartz soils moderate yields and invite comparisons to the Northern Rhône. In 2021, a small amount of white wine was made… The long, cool growing season resulted in age-worthy structures and tempered ripeness… The 2021 Estate White is a blend of 52% Marsanne, 32% Roussanne, and 16% Viognier that were picked together and co-fermented in one new Stockinger puncheon and one new stainless steel barrel. The nose is generous and spicy with a mélange of stone fruit and tropical fruit accented by touches of candle smoke, honey and flint. The full-bodied palate is satiny and mouth coating with concentrated, floral flavors. It’s balanced by refreshing acidity and has a long, perfumed finish. Drink 2025-2035.”