Winemaker Notes
Bright pale yellow gold with a bright shiny diamond. Explosion of crushed rocks, lemon drop, tangerine, melon, peach and honeydew. Fresh but round entrance evolving on a crisp mid-palate with touches of grapefruit and passion fruit, lingering on a mineral finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
There’s a strong core of fruit, with aromas of citrus blossoms, struck match, freshly cut pineapple and orchard fruit. The palate is textural, with a phenolic grip and bright acidity. A well-constructed, pithy sauvignon blanc with 25% skin-contact fermentation.
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Wine Spectator
Distinctive and stylish, with plenty to admire about the fleshy, juicy mix of lemon curd, candied orange peel, mango and grilled peach flavors. A drizzle of wildflower honey, vetiver, apple blossoms and vibrant acidity leave a lasting impression on the finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 98% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Semillon from the Longwood and Ryans vineyards and aged nine months in 25% new French oak, the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc offers ripe, pithy lemon, melon ball, sappy flower, and mineral notes. It's bright and juicy on the palate, with medium-bodied richness and impeccable balance.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2024 AXR Sauvignon Blanc is a light straw color with a green tint and opens with aromas of rustic spices and green olives. On the palate, it reveals layers of dried herbs and savory spice, finishing with a clean, mineral edge. This lively Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with mussels steamed in a tangy lemongrass-coconut broth, enriched with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime—an elegant dish that mirrors the wine’s bright acidity and savory complexity. (Tasted: October 31, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
The history of the AXR estate is compounded in layers; rooted in historic tales of fierce Native American hunting grounds, wild west pioneers and the first woman vintner of California in 1886. It has changed hands over the course of 134 years to become a brewery, restaurant, inn, winery and saloon. Tales of love, lust, heartbreak, murders and great fortune create an imaginative backdrop to the present-day vision of AXR. Named after the AxR rootstalk (Aramond x Rupestris) that was so prominent in building the modern California wine industry, AXR Winery pays homage to the so-called "roots" of the industry. By utilizing modern and innovative techniques in the cellar, AXR extract the uniqueness of Napa Valley’s soils into wines enjoyable now, or many years from now. They start with hand-picked grapes, naturally fermented in small handcrafted lots, add in the expertise and palette of renowned consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger, and you have a recipe for stunning wines that promote even better conversations, more laughs, and an invitation for others to join the group!
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.
One of the world's most highly regarded regions for wine production as well as tourism, the Napa Valley was responsible for bringing worldwide recognition to California winemaking. In the 1960s, a few key wine families settled the area and hedged their bets on the valley's world-class winemaking potential—and they were right.
The Napa wine industry really took off in the 1980s, when producers scooped up vineyard lands and planted vines throughout the county. A number of wineries emerged, and today Napa is home to hundreds of producers ranging from boutique to corporate. Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely the grape of choice here, with many winemakers also focusing on Bordeaux blends. White wines from Napa Valley are usually Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that claim specific wine characteristics based on situation, slope and soil. Farthest south and coolest from the influence of the San Pablo Bay is Carneros, followed by Coombsville to its northeast and then Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford. Above those are the warm St. Helena and the valley's newest and hottest AVA, Calistoga. These areas follow the valley floor and are known generally for creating rich, dense, complex and smooth red wines with good aging potential. The mountain sub appellations, nestled on the slopes overlooking the valley AVAs, include Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley (farther east), Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain District and Diamond Mountain District. Napa Valley wines from the mountain regions are often more structured and firm, benefiting from a lot of time in the bottle to evolve and soften.