Nose
Our 2014 Napa Valley Reserve Selection Sauvignon Blanc opens
with inviting aromas of key lime and nectarine with hints of lychee.
Palate
Flavors of white peach and mango are accented with a touch of wet
stone offering a slight minerality to balance the creamy mid-palate
and crisp acidity.
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.
In spite of the drought and the South Napa earthquake, vintners are
using words like “quality,” “depth of flavor” and “excellent” to
describe the 2014 vintage in Napa Valley. Many are also noting
“perfect weather,” “abundant crop” and “good fortune”. Harvest
started and ended earlier than usual. The first grapes for sparkling
wine picked on July 30 and nearly all harvest activity was completed
by the third week in October – for many, a full two weeks ahead of
the normal harvest schedule.
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
