Winemaker Notes
There is some cushion of fruit with elongated curves and more forgiving edges, but no shortage of acidity in the prickly fresh finish. Expect the familiar crunchy Asian pear, green apple, and mineral elements of this Sauvignon Blanc, but also enjoy the pungency of floral fragrance in the 2017, with some air the citrus blossom aromas get downright heady.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Starting with the whites from the team of Adam Tolmach and Fabien Castel, the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc McGinley Vineyard is outstanding, showing bright grapefruit, lime, and floral notes as well as medium body, notable purity, and salivating levels of acidity. Drink it over the coming 3-4 years.
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.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.