Shannon Ridge High Elevation Sauvignon Blanc 2017
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Wilfred
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This Sauvignon Blanc pairs with ceviche and hot summer days hanging out by the lake.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: One of my favorite haunts in California for Sauvignon Blanc is Lake County, and Shannon Ridge has been one the area's top producers for at least two decades, if not more. The 2017 Shannon Ridge High Elevation Collection Sauvignon Blanc fresh and elegant. TASTING NOTES: This wine showcases the brightness and user-friendly characteristics of the Lake County AVA. Its aromas and flavors of ripe melon, some citrus, and dried herbs should pair well with linguine in a white wine reduction sauce and a liberal accent of fresh black peppercorns. (Tasted: August 2, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
Well-concentrated but still lively and fresh, this medium-bodied wine is just what many people look for. It smells grassy and grapefruity, tastes more ripe and full like honeydew melon, and has a pleasant richness on the palate.
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Wilfred
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Wilfred
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Wilfred
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Shannon Ridge is dedicated to crafting luscious, fruit-driven wines that express the distinct characteristics of fruit grown in the high valley region of Lake County, California. Family-owned and operated, Shannon Ridge was founded in 2001. The winery's vineyards hug the mountain rims along the south-east edge of High Valley AVA. Surrounded by dramatic landscapes and pristine wilderness, the story of High Valley is clearly visible from our property. At 2,200 feet, on top of the Terre Vermeille vineyard look to your south, you'll see the deep blue waters of Clear Lake, that provide cooling winds throughout our long summer days. Turn to the west, and you can distinguish where the lava flows give way to the alluvial fan of the ancient lake bed on the valley floor. And from the north, and you can feel the cold night winds from Snow Mountain and the peaks of the Mendocino National Forest.
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 warm inland area just north of Napa Valley, Lake County represents a new frontier for California winemaking. While Prohibition halted viticulture here just as it did in so many California regions, winemaking activity remained fairly insignificant for a few decades longer than others. Finally in the 1990s Lake County Sauvignon blanc—uniquely savory and fruity—earned the appellation a renewed reputation.
Lake County is comprised of a handful of unique American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).
Vineyards that settle into the hills on the west side of Clear Lake create the Clear Lake AVA and produce good quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc and Zinfandel.
Recently the Red Hills AVA, located within the boundaries of the Clear Lake AVA, has become the focus of some of Napa’s more respected growers. Its notable volcanic and obsidian-based soils could be the source of California’s next best Cabernet Sauvignons. Andy Beckstoffer, a leader in recognizing prime Napa Valley vineyard locales, has already invested heavily in the area.
Guenoc Valley AVA produces fine examples of Petite Sirah, recognized for their voluptuous aromas of clove, cocoa, tobacco and deep red and blue berry flavors.
The High Valley AVA sits northeast of Clear Lake. This warm area boasts multiple soil types allowing growers a lot of flexibility and experimentation with grape varieties. While Sauvignon blanc is a mainstay, this zone excels with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, as well as other less common varieties like Barbera and Tempranillo.