Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Limited Selection is from cool-climate Leyda. Grass, fresh herbs, gooseberry, and grapefruit make up the enticing aromatics. With greater depth and concentration than its less expensive cousin, it is worth the extra premium in price.
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Wine & Spirits
While this wine's aromas lean toward the herbal and citrus side of sauvignon, its flavors run closer to stoniness. A robust sauvignon framed by clear, sharp acidity. For ceviche.
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Wine Spectator
A very crisp and minerally style, with a prominent chalky edge that carries the flint, chive and fleur de sel notes. Very lengthy. From Chile. Drink now. 23,000 cases made.
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.