2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc offers perfumed aromatics of jasmine flowers, Kaffir lime leaf, orange blossom and lemon cream frosting. The medium-bodied mouth feel lends balanced acidity followed by bright flavors of melon and citrus with a long, fresh finish.

Winemaking Data Grapes were picked in the early morning light at an average of 21.9° Brix and held overnight in cold storage before pressing. Barrel fermentation with native yeast followed. The Sauvignon Blanc was aged for eight months in 30% new French oak puncheons and 70% one- to two-year-old French oak puncheons before bottling in July 2012. The barrel coopers used to create this wine were Dargaud Jaegle, Billon, Damy and Ermitage. The lees were stirred during and after fermenta-tion for a rich, round mouth feel and subtle oak influence on the wine while preserving its inherent balanced acidity and elegance.

Vintage Notes Overall, the 2011 growing season was cool. Winter was fairly dry, yet spring and early summer rains brought quite a bit of moisture to help replenish the soil. This cool weather affected the flowering period resulting in lower crop yields and looser clusters. The Sauvignon Blanc bud break was approximately one to two weeks behind the 2010 vintage and on average, bloom and veraison were later than 2010 as well.

We began picking the Sauvignon Blanc on September 9th, which was similar to 2010 but much later than the previous six vintages. The cooler weather allowed for excellent flavor development.