Patianna Sauvignon Blanc 2003
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The wine's aromas – Honeydew melon, orange peel and anise – are typically produced by grapes grown biodynamically in Patianna's gravelly, sandy loam soil. Vibrant grapefruit and lemon flavors predominate. The wine's weighty finish shows a subtle mineral quality.
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Patianna approaches winegrowing through lessons learned from Patti's father, Barney Fetzer, who often said, "Many footprints in the vineyard show that the vines are well-cared for." At Patianna Organic Vineyards, the footprints belong to Patti, Kieran, Winemaker Steve Ryan, vineyard foreman Horacio Ortega and his field crew, abundant indigenous wildlife - and flocks of resident chickens patrolling for insect pests. Keen observation guides grape growing at Patianna, and farming constantly adjusts to the conditions of the vines, soil and season.
Biodynamic grape growing harmonizes with Steve Ryan's winemaking. An accomplished, attentive winemaker, Steve believes in natural fermentation with indigenous yeast and minimal manipulation of the wine, allowing the intense flavors from Patianna's healthy vines to convey a true sense of place, their organic roots in Mendocino County
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.