Winemaker Notes
Equally textural and refreshing, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc present cascading fruit aromas of nectarine, apricot, mango and guava, which are complemented by bright Meyer lemon, lime zest, and orange blossom. On the palate, crisp Granny Smith apple, zippy lemon balm, and honeyed nectarine intertwine with hints of bri-oche and wet stone minerality, providing nuanced layers of flavor. With 3% Semillon adding further depth, and a combination of steel and oak barrel ageing contribute to unparalleled texture and dimension. Frequent lees stirring adds mid-palate richness to offset the vibrant natural acidity, resulting in a well-balanced and harmonious finish.
Blend: 97% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Semillon
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is bright and crystalline. Lemon peel, crushed rocks, mint, sage and slate are all finely delineated in this nervy, taut white. There's a bit less new oak in the 2023, which further amplifies that tension.
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.