Runaway Rabbit, "Chester", Skin-Fermented Sauvignon Blanc
Staff Pick
Orange Wine (Skin Contact)

Runaway Rabbit, "Chester", Skin-Fermented Sauvignon Blanc - 2023

Item # 49793 750 mL

A dry white blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Gewürztraminer from the North Fork of Long Island. The wine spends 2 weeks on the skins, giving it dried orchard fruit aromas and a medium body. Pair with roast pork and herbed apples.

$24.96/ Single Bottle
$299.52 $269.57/ Case of 12
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Staff Pick Notes

I love wines from the North Fork of Long Island, so I was overjoyed to see a new producer join our collection here at Astor. I was especially excited to discover that this wine is a gorgeous, skin-contact spontaneous fermentation Sauvignon Blanc (with supporting cast additions of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, and Merlot for good measure) that sees two weeks on the skins. A complex nose of stone fruits, poached pear, and rummy strawberry zabaione got me really excited for a crunchy green apple palate with suggestions of ciders and tropical fruits. “We are a small, artisanal brand focusing on premium quality with minimal-intervention winemaking. Like a wild rabbit, our wine is an expression of pure nature. We hope you enjoy its unbridled beauty in every glass.” Runaway rabbit, you ran away with my heart. Only seventy-three cases produced.

- SG

Glossary

New York

New York winemakers have embraced international varieties and hit the ground running. The Hudson River Valley is home to the oldest vineyards in New York State. Bordeaux varietals are at home in Long Island’s maritime climate. The Finger Lakes harbors a burgeoning winemaking community where many natural-inclined producers focus on dry still wines. No longer is our fair state synonymous with Concord grapes and Manischewitz; look for brilliant iterations of Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Franc,...

Read more about New York

Merlot

The next time you hear someone say they never touch Merlot, tell them that it's too bad, because you were just about to open a few bottles of Château Pétrus and Le Pin, and you have no one to share them with. Some wine drinkers are quick to dismiss varieties that become too fashionable, but Merlot is popular for good reason. It has one of the most impressive and distinctive textures of any wine, and has long been prized for the "softening" effect it can have on Cabernet Sauvignon - especially...

Read more about Merlot

Sauvignon Blanc

Few varietals have spawned as bizarre a list of descriptors as Sauvignon Blanc. Believe it or not, “cat pee” is in fact a complimentary tasting note, associated with some of the best bottlings. (It’s a somewhat odd way of pointing out herbaceousness in the wine.) Cat pee aside, Sauvignon Blanc (sometimes called "Fumé Blanc" in California) is a bit of a chameleon in terms of style, and quite utterly at the whim of the winemaker. Some are fermented in barrel, others in stainless steel. Some...

Read more about Sauvignon Blanc

Gewürztraminer

You won't likely forget your first "Gewürz," as they're some of the most distinctive and recognizable wines in the world. They are usually heavily perfumed with rich lychee and rose aromas. The variety is cultivated all over the world, but the best examples tend to come from Alsace: these are full-bodied wines with a golden color. The pink-skinned Gewürztraminer does best in cooler climates, which allow the grapes to develop good balancing acidity. This is a necessary attribute of any...

Read more about Gewürztraminer

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