When Margaret Ryan at Olson Ogden Wines contacted us about their newest release last Spring, I was delighted to learn it was a white Rhône blend. We really enjoyed the Olson Ogden Wines‘ Pinot Noir and Rhône varietals we had tasted, so we were pretty confident that this one would not disappoint. It most certainly did not.

Ogden Olson Wines

Although limited in production, the folks at Olson Ogden are not small on talent. Tim Olson has been a winemaker in Northern California for over 21 years, enjoying acclaim for his wines in Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Wine and Spirits, in addition to Connoisseurs’ Guide To California Wine, among others.

John Ogden has enjoyed success in marketing, sales and business development of a number of enterprises, and has served in the public sector a legislative aide in the United States Senate and a staff assistant for the United States Senate Financial Committee. In addition to his responsibilities for Olson Ogden Wines, he is president of Progressive Design Playgrounds, a Southern California Company that designs and manufactures environmentally sound commercial playgrounds, natural playgrounds, safety surfacing and recreation site furnishings available nationwide.

And Margaret is not just another pretty face (although she is gorgeous!) A marketing veteran from the beginnings of America Online, this former Northern Virginian has shared the stories of other breakthrough companies including BabyCenter, Digital Chef (the shopping website for The Culinary Institute of America), Pinot Days, ShopStyle, Tickle and Zappos. In addition to her work for Olson Ogden Wines, she spends her “free time” blogging about luxury, style and wine topics at Season Five and The Huffington Post. All this in addition to being a wife as well as a mom to two young daughters.

These talented folks just don’t put out your average juice, but some damned fine wine!

2008 Margaret’s Mandate Stagecoach Vineyard Marsanne

Margaret tells us they chose “Margaret’s Mandate” because she, as John Ogden’s wife and a non-red wine drinker, has been lobbying for this wine for years. Pale straw in color, this Napa Valley Rhône-style beauty has a faint, non-demanding nose. Light, pleasant with a hint of grapefruit, freshly grated lemon zest and star jasmine we also found honeysuckle and peach on the nose. Very balanced in its acidity, we found it rich and creamy on the palate but not overly so as often Marsanne can be.

Fragrant and enjoyable with a lingering finish, this wine pairs very well with Bruschetta, pan-seared chicken with garlic confit and freshly chopped basil. It even complemented our Caprese Salad. Perfectly drinkable now, the winemaker tells us it will show best in 2 to 4 years. Alcohol by volume is 14.7% this lovely white Rhône was made from grapes grown in the volcanic soils of Stagecoach Vineyard. Just 145 cases made and worth every bit of $35.

To learn more about Ogden Olsen Wines, you can visit their website, check out their Facebook page, or follow them on twitter @OlsonOgdenWines.

Cheers!

The WineWonkette