Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Georgia is magnificent. In fact, it is one of the absolute finest editions of this wine I have ever tasted. Soaring aromatics meld into lemon confit, sage, mint and white pepper, all beautifully lifted in the glass. A dollop of Sauvignon Musqué in the blend adds a gorgeous exotic flair. The clean, saline finish is a thing of beauty. Unforgettable.
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Decanter
The 2023 Georgia Sauvignon Blanc opens with a vivid burst of citrus aromatics—lemon zest, lime blossom, and preserved Meyer lemon peel—layered over a gentle framework of warm oak and subtle vanilla cream. Nuances of white peach, crisp green apple, and Anjou pear follow, lifted by white acacia and a wisp of crushed fennel seed. With time in the glass, accents of beeswax, chamomile, and struck flint emerge, adding aromatic intrigue. The medium-bodied palate is sleek and finely textured, with a supple entry that builds into racy, mouthwatering acidity and an almost tactile tension, like biting into a just-ripened lemon and cool, crunchy apple laced with sea salt. A silken lees-derived richness balances the wine’s brisk freshness, while flavours of grilled grapefruit, lime curd, and toasted almond echo on the long, resonant finish. Grapes are sourced entirely from Lail's estate, Totem Vineyard, in Yountville, then fermented and aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. Tasted with Robin Lail in early March of 2025 at her home on Howell Mountain. Lail Vineyards is a partnership between fourth-generation vintner Robin Daniel Lail and her daughters, Erin and Shannon. Robin's great-granduncle was Gustave Niebaum, who founded Inglenook in 1879. Her father is John Daniel, Jr., who managed the estate until 1964, when he sold it. Maayan Koschitzky and Philippe Melka craft the Lail wines.
Barrel Sample: 97 -
James Suckling
A lovely wine that reflects the vintage, showing precision, taut freshness and a mineral core. The palate is tightly wound, with long acidity and a persistent, citrus-driven finish. A fine interpretation of 100% sauvignon blanc, fermented in 60% new French oak. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming all from the Totem Estate Vineyard in Yountville and aged 20 months on lees in barrel, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Georgia is deeper and richer, with ripe citrus, white fig, mint, flowers, and a touch of wood spice. It's medium-bodied on the palate and has a concentrated, layered mid-palate and vibrant acidity. Drink this serious, age-worthy Sauvignon Blanc over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035.
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.