Winemaker Notes
This Sauvignon Blanc is a beautifully expressive wine, bursting with fresh and lively aromas that capture the essence of the 2022 growing season. On the nose you’ll immediately notice the unmistakable scent of freshly cut grass, followed by a delightful hint of tangerines and zesty lime peel. The palate is equally impressive with a backbone of wet limestone minerality and juicy notes of apricot that perfectly balances the vibrant acidity. As you savor this wine, you’ll appreciate the crisp, mouthwatering finish.
The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is sure to be the perfect companion to a warm summer afternoon or a light seafood dinner.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Complex, sophisticated and partially oak aged, this wine offers an intricate array of white pepper, sea salt and citrus aromas followed by a textured, tangy palate full of toast, vanilla, ginger and gooseberry flavors. It is concentrated, memorable and long on the finish.
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James Suckling
Herbal on the nose with warm herbs, lemon zest and some tinder aromas. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity. Well-balanced with a refreshing core of lemons at the center and a flavorful 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.
As one of Napa’s coolest sub-appellations, the area begs for diversity among its vineyards. Merlot and Chardonnay firmly compete with Cabernet Sauvignon for a place here. Some of Napa’s best Zinfandels also come from the Oak Knoll District.
Situated far in Napa’s southern end, Oak Knoll receives a strong cooling influence from both the San Pablo Bay and the Pacific Coast’s evening fog and breezes. Summer days are warm but on average ten degrees cooler than in St. Helena farther north up the valley; summer nights are chilly. A long growing season promotes for leisurely ripening of grape berries, resulting in an impressive balance of sugars, phenols and acidity.
Notable producers include Trefethen, one of the appellation’s oldest wineries, Robert Biale, legendary Zinfandel producer and Lewis Cellars, a family-run, hands-on establishment.