Winemaker Notes
This Sauvignon Blanc is a bold wine grown from some of the oldest vines in California. Gnarly Head’s untamed vines produce full-flavored grapes, bright with aromas of gooseberry, green guava and pineapple with grassy notes. This juicy and crisp wine has exceptional acid balance and a fleshy mouthfeel with a clean finish, perfect for those who like bold wines with a little attitude. Enjoy this wine with prosciutto and melon, panko crusted cod or go big with grilled pineapple, pound cake and vanilla ice cream.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Gnarly Head Sauvignon Blanc shows up with lots to offer. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits pleasing nuances that go beyond fruit. Pair its generous aromas and flavors of dried citrus, savory spices, and earth with grilled prawns, sautéed mushrooms on a bed of egg noodles. (Tasted: January 8, 2020, Cloverdale, CA)
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 geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.