Wine Review: Treana 2012 White

Yes, that's Treana in that picture. Doesn't look anything like the old label, right? That's fitting because for years it hasn't been of the quality that it built its reputation on back in the day. I'm not saying it's been bad,  I wouldn't complain if it was being poured, I'm just saying it's been okay.

The blend is 50% Marsanne and 50% Viognier. Two wonderful grapes in their own right that do wonderful things together. Because of that, as a big supporter of the white Rhone varietals, I want every year to be a return to greatness for Treana.

Treana is a label founded in 1996 by Hope Family Wines. Hope also makes Troublemaker, a favorite red blend of mine. There are only two wines under the Treana label: red and white. The white is widely available and very well known among wine consumers. The grapes are sourced from the Mer Soleil Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands, California.

I have here a bottle of the 2012. The new label looks like the ugly wallpaper at your Italian grandmother's house. But let's see what's going on inside the bottle...

Upon pouring, the color of the wine is absolutely gorgeous. It's a very pronounced and attractive dark yellow, as if it's been aging for much longer. For whatever reason, probably the grapes involved, I wasn't worried that I had purchased a bad bottle at all and found it appealing.

YAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!

I over-chilled it like I almost always do with whites. I'm an idiot. But when it was too cold the nose was completely unappealing like... decay... and a really bad blend of spices.

After warming up, the nose was like... SPRING and flowers and honey and fresh fruit salad and SUNSHINE!!! Holy hell!

The palate has a lanolin coating with flavors of pears and pineapple. There's a touch of honey there too, giving it a slight sweetness. The finish is very peachy with a dab of white table grapes.

This is a big bodied white with tamed acidity. It's just so well balanced and bright and smiley! :) No, seriously. :|

What a spirit lifter. I'm writing this in early March in the middle of yet another snow storm (WTF!!!!) so this wine has me very excited right now. Can you tell?

Uh, so yeah. This is a really good bottle of wine and right up my alley. I am now won over by Treana again, and I think I can start pointing people back in that direction. And the $15 price is right on target.

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING

Price: $15

Rating: 4/5 = Recommended.

(what does that mean?)

The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.