Winemaker Notes
This Sauvignon Blanc expresses tropical components of passionfruit, honeydew, and grapefruit due to the ample sunlight hours present in our vineyard. The volcanic “tufa” soils and unique ripening conditions add an herbal and mineral backdrop of lemongrass and slate. We farm vigilantly to retain these aromatics while at the same time preserving the natural acidity that is needed to keep these wines lifted and never heavy. We are extremely proud of the poise in this wine and know that it will be a pillar for Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Distinctive, with an aromatic swirl of honeysuckle, a whiff of resinous smoke and flavors of grilled peach. Reveals touches of marmalade, toasted sesame and mouthwatering salted lime, with toasted herb, candied ginger and rooibos tea elements lingering on the finish.
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Vinous
The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc is generous and expansive in feel. Lemon confit, mango, mint, apricot and light tropical accents all grace this exotic Sauvignon Blanc. I have never tasted anything quite like it. The viscous textural profile is especially distinctive and compelling.
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James Suckling
Lots of dried apricot, peaches and sliced red apple. Full and layered with a rich and oily character. Lots of phenolic texture. Remains lively. Made in concrete, stainless and cask. Exotic nature to this. Sauvignon blanc planted on Howell Mountain in 1996. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
Ink Grade, Howell Mountain’s first monopole estate, produces the appellation’s greatest classical wines. The estate vineyard was first planted with vines in the 1870s by visionary pioneer, Theron Ink. Farmed organically and biodynamically since its inception and spanning eight hundred wild acres, our Estate is dotted with vine plantings that nurture and respect the natural habitat. Among the steeply terraced vineyards that cling to the iron-rich volcanic soils, there is a wild purity and raw tension here that awakens the senses. Winemaker Matt Taylor, formerly of Araujo Estate and Domaine Dujac, captures this untamed nature and preserves it by producing elegant, single-estate wines that express the pristine mountain fruit and legacy of the land. To do so requires patience and presence, taking the time to listen to what a place has to say and what it will give. This is an art. This is Ink Grade.
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 the world's most highly regarded regions for wine production as well as tourism, the Napa Valley was responsible for bringing worldwide recognition to California winemaking. In the 1960s, a few key wine families settled the area and hedged their bets on the valley's world-class winemaking potential—and they were right.
The Napa wine industry really took off in the 1980s, when producers scooped up vineyard lands and planted vines throughout the county. A number of wineries emerged, and today Napa is home to hundreds of producers ranging from boutique to corporate. Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely the grape of choice here, with many winemakers also focusing on Bordeaux blends. White wines from Napa Valley are usually Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that claim specific wine characteristics based on situation, slope and soil. Farthest south and coolest from the influence of the San Pablo Bay is Carneros, followed by Coombsville to its northeast and then Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford. Above those are the warm St. Helena and the valley's newest and hottest AVA, Calistoga. These areas follow the valley floor and are known generally for creating rich, dense, complex and smooth red wines with good aging potential. The mountain sub appellations, nestled on the slopes overlooking the valley AVAs, include Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley (farther east), Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain District and Diamond Mountain District. Napa Valley wines from the mountain regions are often more structured and firm, benefiting from a lot of time in the bottle to evolve and soften.