Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
More classic Bordeaux Blanc aromatics of ripe citrus, orange blossom, crushed stone, and honeyed white flowers all emerge from the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Grimm's Bluff Vineyard, which is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Grimm's Bluff. It has medium-bodied richness, a pure, graceful mouthfeel, bright yet integrated acidity, terrific concentration, and a great finish. It too will keep for at least a decade. Drink 2025-2035.
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James Suckling
There is a crystalline character to this wine, a transparency alongside quiet power. Lime leaves brighten up concentrated lemon pith and crunchy minerals. So much posture and propulsive energy.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aged primarily in cigar barrels with a portion of stainless steel, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Grimm's Bluff Vineyard leans into the more mineral and tensile side of the vineyard-designated Sauvignon Blancs, while still exuding a broad, textural depth. It combines citrus and tropical tones on the nose, introducing a composed, elegantly plush palate with a punchy, layered finish that lingers with stony nuances.
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.
On the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley, the rolling hills of the tiny Happy Canyon AVA produce top quality reds from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and whites from Sauvignon blanc. The region’s low-nutrient soil grows smaller vines and in turn, higher quality wine grapes.