Winemaker Notes
Primary aromas of candied lime peel, mango, lemon curd, pomelo, and lemongrass emerge from the glass. Subtle hints of fresh baked croissant, orange marmalade, honey, and nutmeg linger in the background. The palate shows bright, fresh citrusy flavors, and deftly balances this vibrancy against textural richness and mouthfeel. The finish is clean, with hints of wet-stone minerality, due in large part to 13% Semillon.
Blend: 87% Sauvignon Blanc, 13% Sémillon
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is a great example of the variety (although there's 13% Semillon) and has a bright, racy style as well as textbook lemon and lime fruit, some minty herb nuances, medium-bodied richness, and good overall concentration. It's going to be incredibly versatile on the dinner table.
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 Napa Valley’s oldest wine growing subregions but last to gain appellation status, Calistoga occupies the northernmost section of the valley. Beginning at the foot of Mount St. Helena, its vineyards stretch over steep canyons and roll out onto the valley floor. The soils in Calistoga are volcanic, which means they are heavy in minerals, low in organic matter and allow good drainage for vine roots, creating less green growth and more concentration of flavor within the grape berries.
Summer days are very hot but most nights cool down with moist ocean breezes sneaking in over the Mayacamas Mountains or from Knights Valley to its northwest.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the area’s star variety with Zinfandel coming in a strong second, though the latter commands far less price per tonnage so continues to be outshined by Cabernet in vineyard acreage, save for some important exceptions.