Vineyards

We sourced the grapes for our 2007 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc primarily from our estate vineyards in Rutherford, our newer vineyards Calistoga and Carneros regions as well as several outstanding vineyards in St. Helena.  The superb fruit from these sites allows us to produce a crisp, full-bodied, complex Sauvignon Blanc of distinctive varietal character.  In 2007, we further enhanced the wine’s complexity by blending in 4% Sauvignon Musqué, an especially aromatic clone of Sauvignon Blanc, and 7% Sémillon, which enriched the mid-palate, softened acidity and contributed a pleasing citrus tone.

Vintage 2007

After the long, cool growing seasons of 2005 and 2006, 2007 brought a change of pace. Winter and spring were unusually dry with above-average temperatures, which accelerated budbreak and bloom. The summer months were mild, with few hot days, which allowed our Sauvignon Blanc grapes to ripen evenly.  Due to the early start to the season, the fruit reached maturity slightly earlier than normal, but mild harvest weather provided us the luxury of picking the grapes from each site at optimal ripeness between August 13th and September 12th.   Combined with modest crop yields, this gave us fruit with fully matured flavors balanced by crisp acidity.

Winemaking

We night-harvest our Sauvignon Blanc grapes at cool temperatures to preserve their fresh, vibrant flavors and achieve an ideal balance of sugar and acidity.  After the grapes arrive at the winery, we immediately press the whole clusters to maximize varietal character while minimizing the extraction of astringent compounds from the skins.   In 2007, 59% of the juice was tank-fermented and aged in neutral French oak barrels; 26% was fermented and aged in barrel; and 15% was tank-fermented with no oak aging.  This regimen allowed us to optimize the wine’s varietal intensity while enriching its texture through short-term exposure to oak. 

Tasting Notes

Our fresh, vivacious 2007 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc opens with bright lime, kiwi, grapefruit and green melon aromas, with complementary hay and mineral scents adding complexity.  On the sleek, medium-bodied palate, the wine offers zesty citrus and melon flavors that culminate in a refreshingly flinty, mineral-tinged finish.  An ideal apèritif wine, our vibrant 2007 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc also makes a fine accompaniment to salads, lighter seafood and poultry dishes, and vegetarian entrees.  Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.