Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Georgia Sauvignon Blanc is medium straw yellow in color. Dynamic and spirited, the aromas burst forth with citrus, honeyed flowers and stone fruit notes. The flavors include apricot, lemon, minty herbs and coconut. There are the hallmark Georgia expressions of minerality, white truffle and toasted brioche filling out the zingy and energetic finish. This will impress early and for many years to come.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of Meyer lemons, sliced pears and green kiwis followed by fresh nettles and tarragon with flint and matchbox mineralities. Medium-bodied with beautiful crisp acidity. Outstanding quality with remarkable vibrancy and freshness.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Consistently one of Napa Valley's finest Sauvignon Blancs since it was first produced in 2002, the trend over time has been to use barrels that have less impact and less new oak overall. The 2021 Georgia Sauvignon Blanc comes from a single three-acre, dry-farmed parcel of vines planted as Merlot in 1988 and grafted over to Sauvignon Blanc in 2006 and 2007. It's part of the same property originally planted by George Yount in 1839, the first grapes planted in Napa Valley. All barrel fermented and kept on lees for 18 months, it's a profoundly concentrated style, boasting scents of toasted oak, pear, peach, guava and pineapple on the nose. In the mouth, this medium to full-bodied wine is plush, round and expansive yet balanced, being fresh, zesty and long on the finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The flagship 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Georgia sees a longer aging and is brought up all in wood. It's a much more serious Sauvignon Blanc that has some ripe citrus and pineapple notes as well as some toasty, spicy nuances. Much more Bordeaux Blanc in style, it's medium to full-bodied, has good concentration, integrated acidity, and a great finish.
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 most historic sub-appellations, Yountville spreads through some of the valley's ideal cooler sites and enjoys success with a handful of different and significant grape varieties.
Syrah competes strongly with Cabernet Sauvignon here for optimal vineyard real estate followed by Pinot noir, Pinot blanc and Sauvignon blanc.
This sub-AVA of Napa Valley is rich in the history that makes Napa Valley what it is today, and not just for red wines. Moët & Chandon entered the California winemaking business via Yountville in 1973 with the establishment Domaine Chandon. Their goal has always been to produce top quality méthode champenoise sparkling wines.
Christian Moueix, originally responsible for managing Chateau Petrus and La Fleur-Petrus in Pomerol, arrived in Yountville in the early 1980s. He formed a partnership with Rohin Lail and Marcia Smith, inheritors of Napanook vineyard from their father John Daniel of Inglenook in Rutherford. In 1995 Moueix became sole owner of Napanook and chose the name Dominus, which today produces some of Napa’s highest scoring, age-worthy Bordeaux Blends.