Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this wine are sourced from Block 1 on Purisima Mountain Vineyard, which tends to ripen slower than most of the Sauvignon Blanc in the region. The added hang-time adds to the flavor and textural development of the finished wine while the limestone soils ensure great acidity. Incorporating skin contact prior to pressing brought another level of texture and roundness to the vintage; the wine is kept fresh by fermenting and aging in stainless steel, showcasing vibrant tropical and citrus fruit aromas and flavors.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This bottling blends the best parts of Sauvignon Blanc into one bottling. The nose mixes that edgy citrus and grass vibe with a wet sidewalk minerality and tropical tones of guava peel and jasmine tea. A clay-like flavor starts the palate, which then shows pineapple, plumeria and guava flavors.
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.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.