Exotic layers of tart pear, granny-smith apples, chamomile, and acacia transition into a seductive mouthful of flint, Meyer lemon, and lanolin. Fantastic acidity backs up a crunchy mid-palate full of personality and precision, with a finish that goes on for days.
Style: Crisp, dry, refreshing, round, and bright
Recommended Food Pairing
Sweet & sour pork, Peking duck, pad thai, and our personal favorite — French fries.
Specs
100% Chenin Blanc
Appellation: El Dorado
Soils: Decomposed granite
Fermented & aged in neutral barrels
Alcohol: 12%
Vineyards: Saureel Vineyards
Harvest Date: 8/26/2020
Bottling Date: April 2021
Fermentation Vessel: Neutral Barrel
Soils: Decomposed Granite
Cases: 400
TA G/L: 6
pH: 3.32
RS G/L: 0.3
2020 Fifth Moon Grüner Veltliner, Marfarm Vineyard, Edna Valley
Tasting Notes
Our Fifth Moon Grüner Veltliner is a California twist on an old-world classic. All of the spice and freshness you would expect from a traditional Grüner, but with a juicer, riper profile that lets you know you are in California.
Grapefruit, white nectarine, lime blossoms, and subtle notes of white pepper lead into a lean yet structured mid-palate. Notes of wasabi and flint finish clean with a vein of cleansing acidity.
Vineyard Notes
Edna Valley is located south of San Luis Obispo and north of Arroyo Grande. The valley runs east to west and is surrounded by volcanic mountains. Moderate sunshine combined with a cool maritime fog provides an extended growing period in this AVA, resulting in complex flavors in the fruit.
Production Notes
We decided to let the vineyard speak for itself. Pressed whole cluster and fermented cold in stainless steel to help preserve the aromatics, the fermentation took two weeks and went to complete dryness. We blocked malolactic and left it on lees until bottling in the spring to preserve the vibrancy of the wine.
Food Pairing
Weighty enough to push back against strong flavors like curries, vindaloo, and Pho, yet delicate enough for sushi or even as an aperitif. A versatile wine, Fifth Moon Grüner pairs with a variety of cuisines, including Thai, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, and more.
Specs
100% Grüner Veltliner
Appellation: Edna Valley
Soils: Sandy, loam
Alcohol: 12%
Vineyards: Marfarm Vineyard
Harvest Date: 9/12/2020
Fermentation Vessel: Stainless Steel & 1 New Stockinger
Cases: 320
Bottle Date: February 2021
TA G/L: 7.3
pH: 3.1
RS G/L: 0.1
What’s Included
6-bottles:
3x 2020 Fifth Moon Grüner Veltliner, Marfarm Vineyard, Edna Valley
3x 2020 Fifth Moon Chenin Blanc, El Dorado Case:
6x 2020 Fifth Moon Grüner Veltliner, Marfarm Vineyard, Edna Valley
Our winery’s ethos is driven by our founder, Dong Van Nguyen’s inspiring legacy and the traditions of altruism and community in Vietnamese culture. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to being real and creating a space where all feel welcome.
RD Winery was established in 2012 by Dong Van Nguyen, making wine solely for export to Vietnam until U.S. distribution began in 2020 with the opening of RD Winery’s tasting room in Napa, CA. RD Winery is the first Vietnamese-owned winery in Napa and woman-run by CEO Mailynh Phan with the mission to cultivate community through wine and make the wine industry more inclusive. It does this through its varied tasting experiences and Napa’s first all-Asian-cuisine pairing menu, diverse portfolio of wines available at all price points, and ongoing cultural programming and onsite art gallery.
Fifth Moon Wines Mixed Whites from RD Winery
6 bottles for $79.99 $13.33/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $124.99 $10.42/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Happy Election Day everybody! It’s a crazy mixed-up world but no matter what moves you, I hope you voted; I did here in Michigan, absentee a couple of weeks ago. We had a lovely cool bright and sunny Midwestern autumn day. I mowed my lawn today over the fallen leaves from multiple Maple trees, an Oak, and the always-challenging Catalpa with its monster leaves. I ate some grilled Spanish sardines with tapas potatoes that my wife lovingly brought home for me from La Feria in Detroit, shaved some Manchego, spooned some olives, grabbed some crackers, and drank some wine. On to today’s business!
Fifth Moon Chenin Blanc 2020
• from RD Winery 100% Chenin Blanc, El Dorado AVA, ABV 11.7-12.0%
• fermented & aged in neutral barrels
Color: Typical straw, clear.
Nose: Apple and pear, subtle floral nectar. Grass. Faintest hint of pineapple. Honestly, these were all elusive.
Palate: Quite dry and crisp. Bright, almost too bright acidity. Light fruit flavors match the aromas; tart Asian pear with a drop of pineapple juice. Finishes with a slight pucker. Tasted blind, I could be convinced that this was a light Sauvignon Blanc and not Chenin Blanc.
And there’s the rub. This wine is just not very interesting. Is the low alcohol intentional? I’m not going to pretend I know what goes into wine growing, but maybe a little more ripeness in the grapes would have gone a long way to bringing out the qualities of Chenin Blanc we like most? It reminded me of what Northern Michigan sparkling wine grower and winemaking guru LARRY MAWBY would say about his Pinot Noir: “I picked it at such low brix that it would have made a fine dental rinse.” Maybe age is a factor (5 year old white) but I don’t think so with this acidity.
Being a vintage 2020, I checked for smoke taint. None. It appears that the Sierra foothills were distant enough from the Napa and North Complex fires to not be impacted.
I begged my wife for her impressions. She usually resists. But not one to dance around her feelings, she did offer, “I could’ve picked this up at Trader Joe’s.” Derp.
The June 2024 Fifth Moon Mixed Whites offering included their Grüner Veltliner. If that repeats, and rats well, you can consider that in your buying decision. As for the Chenin Blanc, if a low-alcohol, dry as heck, amply acidic (but not unbalanced) white wine is your style for cutting through the richness of your daily diet of char siu pork belly, confit duck tacos, and slightly greasy truffle fries, go for it! I expect the price point to be similar to the 2024 offering, under $10 a bottle in case quantity.
@baldwino0 pH: 3.32 … I guess I have no choice but to believe it. All I know is that my mouth was dry for a long time after I finished this off. The Grüner is even lower in pH and RS! Can’t wait to read that rattage.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Fifth Moon Wines Mixed Whites from RD Winery - $35 = 21.87%
@kaolis Particularly useless, or rather, superfluous (wow! I haven’t used that word in ages!), seeing that the rat report above linked to that offering.
@Mark_L Once again, an uncaffeinated error…one would think I’d learn (I even read the rattage) (superfluous is indeed a good word, points for that sir)
I bought these last time around and really enjoyed both of them. I would agree with the above review that both varietals are extremely dry and have ample acidity. If you like one, it’s very likely you’ll like the other. Exactly in my wheelhouse.
I actually laughed when I saw the reference to Trader Joe’s since I would not necessarily disagree with the sentiment, although these are closer to their $15 fancy bottles than their bottom shelf $5 cellar defenders.
At $11 per bottle and shipped to my house, I felt that both were really solid value and happily am ordering them again.
@baldwino0@vandemusser In Oregon at least, they often carry a Grüner Veltliner at around $8 or used to be, from an Oregon producer. I haven’t had in a while, it used to be one of my late mother’s favorites. (She enjoyed it into her 90s so that’s not bad)
We go through a lot of seafood and chicken in our house, so we’re always on the hunt for a good white wine. I was especially excited to try this bottle — until I was stricken with a wicked case of food poisoning. Right now, the only thing I can stomach is Gatorade, and my husband has informed me that this wine is too fancy to be used for Gatorwine (IYKYK).
He had no problem volunteering to jump on the grenade for me and provide a few tasting notes.
The bottle is lovely: real cork with no cover, so you can see the cork art through the glass. The label art is clearly Asian-inspired, which makes sense once you read the back — the wine is named after Vietnam’s Summer Solstice. I love when a bottle offers a story or cultural touchpoint to keep in mind while tasting. (Bonus points for listing tasting notes and pairing suggestions — something I wish more wines would do.)
Ironically, the only thing I’ve been able to eat lately is Pho, so not being able to pair this wine with it feels like a cruel cosmic joke right now.
My husband paired his glass with leftover panang curry with tofu (extra spicy). I popped the bottle open and poured him a glass. The wine is pale yellow and appears thin. To me, it smells sweet — almost like muscadine — but without the syrupy heaviness. I picked up the kaffir lime the label mentions, though I didn’t catch the mineral notes. When I asked my husband for his thoughts, he sniffed and said, “Yeah, smells good.”
Against my better judgment, I allowed myself a tiny sip. I really shouldn’t have — but wow. I expected sweetness, but instead got tartness, minerality, stonefruit, and a hint of spice. Everything I’ve been chasing in Pinot Grigio… turns out I was chasing the wrong bottle. It’s this bottle I’ve been looking for.
I struggled not to go in for a second sip.
He finished his glass and said it was really tasty with his curry. When I asked for his flavor notes, he said, “It tastes like a wine my wife would like,” then asked for a second glass — the cats were in his lap, so he couldn’t get up.
I don’t think this bottle will last, so I guess I’ll have to buy more. And you should too.
@jtallant I had an issue last year where I got dehydrated and de-nourished. They said I could start eating whatever I wanted but was taking it easy. I’d recommend getting a bone broth (chicken or beef) and sipping that. Not just regular cooking broth. Many places now have it prepared in pouches or bottles. There are also instant powders but just don’t seem the same.
2020 Fifth Moon Chenin Blanc, El Dorado
Tasting Notes
Recommended Food Pairing
Specs
2020 Fifth Moon Grüner Veltliner, Marfarm Vineyard, Edna Valley
Tasting Notes
Vineyard Notes
Production Notes
Food Pairing
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$312.00/Case for 6x 2020 Fifth Moon Grüner Veltliner, Marfarm Vineyard, Edna Valley + 6x 2020 Fifth Moon Chenin Blanc, El Dorado at RD Winery
About The Winery
RD Winery featured as AAPI Month Spotlight on KTVU
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 24 - Tuesday, Nov 25
Fifth Moon Wines Mixed Whites from RD Winery
6 bottles for $79.99 $13.33/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $124.99 $10.42/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2020 Fifth Moon Chenin Blanc
2020 Fifth Moon Grüner Veltliner
Happy Election Day everybody! It’s a crazy mixed-up world but no matter what moves you, I hope you voted; I did here in Michigan, absentee a couple of weeks ago. We had a lovely cool bright and sunny Midwestern autumn day. I mowed my lawn today over the fallen leaves from multiple Maple trees, an Oak, and the always-challenging Catalpa with its monster leaves. I ate some grilled Spanish sardines with tapas potatoes that my wife lovingly brought home for me from La Feria in Detroit, shaved some Manchego, spooned some olives, grabbed some crackers, and drank some wine. On to today’s business!
Fifth Moon Chenin Blanc 2020
• from RD Winery
100% Chenin Blanc, El Dorado AVA, ABV 11.7-12.0%
• fermented & aged in neutral barrels
Color: Typical straw, clear.
Nose: Apple and pear, subtle floral nectar. Grass. Faintest hint of pineapple. Honestly, these were all elusive.
Palate: Quite dry and crisp. Bright, almost too bright acidity. Light fruit flavors match the aromas; tart Asian pear with a drop of pineapple juice. Finishes with a slight pucker. Tasted blind, I could be convinced that this was a light Sauvignon Blanc and not Chenin Blanc.
And there’s the rub. This wine is just not very interesting. Is the low alcohol intentional? I’m not going to pretend I know what goes into wine growing, but maybe a little more ripeness in the grapes would have gone a long way to bringing out the qualities of Chenin Blanc we like most? It reminded me of what Northern Michigan sparkling wine grower and winemaking guru LARRY MAWBY would say about his Pinot Noir: “I picked it at such low brix that it would have made a fine dental rinse.” Maybe age is a factor (5 year old white) but I don’t think so with this acidity.
Being a vintage 2020, I checked for smoke taint. None. It appears that the Sierra foothills were distant enough from the Napa and North Complex fires to not be impacted.
I begged my wife for her impressions. She usually resists. But not one to dance around her feelings, she did offer, “I could’ve picked this up at Trader Joe’s.” Derp.
The June 2024 Fifth Moon Mixed Whites offering included their Grüner Veltliner. If that repeats, and rats well, you can consider that in your buying decision. As for the Chenin Blanc, if a low-alcohol, dry as heck, amply acidic (but not unbalanced) white wine is your style for cutting through the richness of your daily diet of char siu pork belly, confit duck tacos, and slightly greasy truffle fries, go for it! I expect the price point to be similar to the 2024 offering, under $10 a bottle in case quantity.
@baldwino0 Make that under $11, I see!
@baldwino0 pH: 3.32 … I guess I have no choice but to believe it. All I know is that my mouth was dry for a long time after I finished this off. The Grüner is even lower in pH and RS! Can’t wait to read that rattage.
@baldwino0 nice snack after the yard work
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Fifth Moon Wines Mixed Whites from RD Winery - $35 = 21.87%
Keeping up with the offering of useless information, the 2019 was offered here last June, for $10 less on a box of 12
@kaolis Particularly useless, or rather, superfluous (wow! I haven’t used that word in ages!), seeing that the rat report above linked to that offering.
@Mark_L Once again, an uncaffeinated error…one would think I’d learn (I even read the rattage) (superfluous is indeed a good word, points for that sir)
@kaolis @Mark_L
I bought these last time around and really enjoyed both of them. I would agree with the above review that both varietals are extremely dry and have ample acidity. If you like one, it’s very likely you’ll like the other. Exactly in my wheelhouse.
I actually laughed when I saw the reference to Trader Joe’s since I would not necessarily disagree with the sentiment, although these are closer to their $15 fancy bottles than their bottom shelf $5 cellar defenders.
At $11 per bottle and shipped to my house, I felt that both were really solid value and happily am ordering them again.
/giphy funny-psychedelic-quiet
@vandemusser So, our deep dark secret is that we always have a couple bottles of Mbali on hand from TJ’s. (Chenin Blanc-Viognier blend, $6 I think?)
@baldwino0 ha! Our deep dark secret is the bottles of Delicious Monster (mystery South African white blend) which are also at that price point…
@baldwino0 @vandemusser In Oregon at least, they often carry a Grüner Veltliner at around $8 or used to be, from an Oregon producer. I haven’t had in a while, it used to be one of my late mother’s favorites. (She enjoyed it into her 90s so that’s not bad)
Grüner Veltliner, Marfarm Vineyard
We go through a lot of seafood and chicken in our house, so we’re always on the hunt for a good white wine. I was especially excited to try this bottle — until I was stricken with a wicked case of food poisoning. Right now, the only thing I can stomach is Gatorade, and my husband has informed me that this wine is too fancy to be used for Gatorwine (IYKYK).
He had no problem volunteering to jump on the grenade for me and provide a few tasting notes.
The bottle is lovely: real cork with no cover, so you can see the cork art through the glass. The label art is clearly Asian-inspired, which makes sense once you read the back — the wine is named after Vietnam’s Summer Solstice. I love when a bottle offers a story or cultural touchpoint to keep in mind while tasting. (Bonus points for listing tasting notes and pairing suggestions — something I wish more wines would do.)
Ironically, the only thing I’ve been able to eat lately is Pho, so not being able to pair this wine with it feels like a cruel cosmic joke right now.
My husband paired his glass with leftover panang curry with tofu (extra spicy). I popped the bottle open and poured him a glass. The wine is pale yellow and appears thin. To me, it smells sweet — almost like muscadine — but without the syrupy heaviness. I picked up the kaffir lime the label mentions, though I didn’t catch the mineral notes. When I asked my husband for his thoughts, he sniffed and said, “Yeah, smells good.”
Against my better judgment, I allowed myself a tiny sip. I really shouldn’t have — but wow. I expected sweetness, but instead got tartness, minerality, stonefruit, and a hint of spice. Everything I’ve been chasing in Pinot Grigio… turns out I was chasing the wrong bottle. It’s this bottle I’ve been looking for.
I struggled not to go in for a second sip.
He finished his glass and said it was really tasty with his curry. When I asked for his flavor notes, he said, “It tastes like a wine my wife would like,” then asked for a second glass — the cats were in his lap, so he couldn’t get up.
I don’t think this bottle will last, so I guess I’ll have to buy more. And you should too.
Cat tax:
@jtallant this is the grüner, correct?
@vandemusser Yes. I updated my review once I realized it was a mixed case. Brain not working well right now because of the sickness LOL
@jtallant @vandemusser Would buy if it came with a cat like that.
@jtallant I had an issue last year where I got dehydrated and de-nourished. They said I could start eating whatever I wanted but was taking it easy. I’d recommend getting a bone broth (chicken or beef) and sipping that. Not just regular cooking broth. Many places now have it prepared in pouches or bottles. There are also instant powders but just don’t seem the same.
@pmarin Pho is essentially bone broth, just with more stuff in it.
FYI, Meh has wine today.
@TimW And the Meh offer includes a $10 Casemates coupon.
@rpstrong @TimW lastbottle had their '22 Chardonnay the other day