Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Garuma Vineyard is sourced from two plots planted in 1998 on granitic soils with calcium carbonate; it is produced in a fresh, herbal and citric way, trying to show the minerality of Leyda Valley through a cold fermentation and an aging in absence of oak in stainless steel with lees for five months. 2014 was a milder vintage, somehow easier than 2013, with rounder, slightly creamier wines; and this Garuda shows some more exotic aromas, not only herbal notes, but there is also grass and citric hints, grapefruit, gooseberries and even fennel. The palate is round and fleshy, it reveals good concentration and also very good acidity, coming through as fresh and straightforward. This is ideal for seafood. This is rounder than the 2013
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.
An officially recognized sub-zone in the southern part of the San Antonio Valley, the Leyda Valley was the original settlement of the wine pioneers who came to the area in the 1990s. They were in search of cooler and wetter growing conditions—as compared to more eastern, drier and often warmer locations.
Planting, which began only in the late 1990s, focused on Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot noir and some limited spots for Syrah. The area continues to receive well-earned accolades for wines of these varieties.