Brander Cuvee Nicolas 2013 Front Label
Brander Cuvee Nicolas 2013 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

For this Cuvee we select the more concentrated and riper blocks of estate Sauvignon Blanc fruit, along with our Semillon. Skin contact and barrel fermentation with a significant amount of new French oak cooperge and lees contact result in an oaked Sauvignon blend with vanilla-infused tropical fruit forward flavors that are mouth -giggling and long. The only Sauvignon Blanc we make at Brander that has significant levels of new oak.

Blend: 82% Sauvignon Blanc, 18% Semillon

The Brander Vineyard

The Brander Vineyard

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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.

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Central Coast

California

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The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.

Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.

While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.

WWH134494_2013 Item# 145115