Nose
Our 2013 Reserve Selection Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc opens
with appealing citrus aromas of freshly squeezed lime and nectarine
accented by just a hint of white peach and lychee.
Palate
This is a nicely
textured wine with crisp acidity and a creamy mid-palate that
displays flavors of mango and wet stone.
Growing Conditions
Our Reserve Selection Sauvignon Blanc grapes come primarily from
small, secluded vineyards in two main areas within the Napa Valley -
the southeastern portion of the valley and a small vineyard just east
of Oakville. The grapes sourced from Jameson Canyon, just east of
Carneros, spend afternoons in temperatures warmer than the valley
floor, but the mornings and evenings are spent in fog with cool,
marine breezes ultimately helping to evenly ripen the grapes. This
area is ideal for producing Sauvignon Blanc with crisp, clean mineral
flavors with hints of melon. The vineyard just east of Oakville
enjoys the warmth of the valley floor and the gravelly soils inherent
to the region.
The 2013 vintage in Napa Valley was one of the earliest harvested
vintages in years. A warm spring led to early bud break and created
the perfect environment for flowering and fruit set. With warm days
and cool nights, our team was able to maintain ideal acid levels with
optimum, bright fruit flavors.
Winemaking
After whole cluster pressing the grapes, the juice was fermented in
stainless steel tanks to capture the bright fruit.
Aging
Post fermentation,
the juice was stirred sur lie in tank two weeks until just prior to
bottling. Stirring the lees gives the wine a creamier mid palate. This
produces a wine with crisp acidity and captures the flinty, citrus
aroma and flavor characteristics of this versatile variety.
