Winemaker Notes
An incredibly food-versatile wine, the Morgan Sauvignon Blanc is a natural match for shellfish, seafood, and lighter summer fare.
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Although skewed to the pungently herbal end of the varietal spectrum and more likely to please those who like their Sauvignon Blancs to be brisk and definitively grassy rather than cute and candied, this nicely crafted example still shows a good sense of juicy young fruit from start to finish and stands as a complete piece. It is bright and lively without falling victim to acidy stiffness and can be easily enjoyed now, but it is so well-balanced that it does not compel hurried drinking, and it will be in good form for a number of years. Good Value.
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.
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.