The calm before tomorrow’s storm? Not exactly.

Agent Noir just came back from a trade buyers’ luncheon where they go all out, deep into their cellars. His birthyear 1970 Stony Hill Pinot Chardonnay ASTONISHED everyone with its youth. A “freakshow” of a white, in 52 years it hadn’t aged a day. These things happen. But very rarely, they are unicorns.

Today’s wine is a potential white unicorn too, at the tender age of 11, this Sauvignon Blanc based Bordeaux blend hasn’t budged a bit. Fascinating stuff!

As with all these indestructibly built white wines, there are reasons why and how.

This wine is essentially the very same blend as Peter Michael’s L’Apres-Midi and Morlet Family’s La Proportion Dorée, all 3 made by superstar winemaker Luc Morlet and modeled after the very best whites of Bordeaux. The other 2 go for $70-100 any given vintage, as they age effortlessly too.

But this, fresh as a daisy, and under $20 today?! Was once $75 mind you… no more!

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate describes Carte Blanche as “an impressive range of well-sourced, impeccably made wines” and this Left Bank styled white could not be better defined. Morlet’s whites have incredible longevity built-in so don’t let the library vintage deter you, it drinks like a dream now, and will continue to for years.

Pale golden with accents of hay and lemon skin glimmering. The nose marries fresh-cut ripe citrus notes from Sauvignon Blanc with floral and creamy hints from the Semillon, time in barrel, and bottle. One sip and you’re transformed to Pessac-Léognan, with that telltale balance between fresh fruits and a texture that can be best described as pleasantly fat. It’s the finish that makes today’s deal remarkable, as you’re not going to find anything out there under $20 that lasts over a minute like this. The pairing potential is as varied as it gets, with day boat scallops in Meyer lemon beurre blanc, and a Pad Thai being two prime examples of how we’d do it.

Proprietor Nicholas Allen is no stranger to fine wine. His family acquired THE Château Haut-Brion in 1935, and La Mission Haut-Brion in 1983. He grew up in a setting where fine wine was part of everyday life, and eventually, he set out to bring a world-class boutique label to life in Napa. To accomplish this, he brought rockstar Luc Morlet on board to help craft these wines. Morlet is a force of reckoning in Napa’s winemaker scene, turning out huge scoring wines for Peter Michael, Vineyard 7 & 8 and his very own Morlet Family, to name a few.

The countdown has begun…

91 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“This new operation that hired talented winemaking consultant Luc Morlet is fashioning an assortment of reds and whites, including a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend… The 2011 Proprietary White, a blend of 64% Sauvignon Blanc and 36% Semillon, reveals copious aromas of caramelized grapefruit, honeysuckle, melon and fig as well as a medium-bodied, fresh, intense personality.”

91 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Bright yellow. Vibrant, complex nose combines stone fruits, gooseberry, pineapple, lanolin, minerals, licorice and juniper. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with mineral-driven lemon and spice flavors. Quite dry and firmly built, with the Semillon giving a touch of roundness to the rather bracing Sauvignon Blanc.”