Winemaker Notes
The 2020 L'Après-Midi is compelling with a translucent, silver color accented by a bright, pale golden hue. The bouquet is reminiscent of neroli, expressing vine and orange blossom along with a vibrant oystershell and granitic minerality heightened by fresh lime, lemon fruit, and gooseberry, with a hint of pine needle and verbena. The flavors are introduced with a touch of freshness and glycerol, carrying elegant white spring flowers—jasmine and white vine rose with a resounding array of fruit, Vosges lemon candy, gooseberry, grapefruit to mandarin, and guava. The finish is balanced, precise, mineral-driven, and elegant, revealing white currant, apricot, acacia honey, and quince paste.
This wine will benefit from several years of cellaring to develop further complexity and express the originality of the vintage.
Blend: 97% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Sémillon
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lime and pear with aniseed undertones. Very aromatic. Medium-to full-bodied and very fresh with brightness and beauty. This is rather special, with only 2% semillon, the rest sauvignon blanc.
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Wine Spectator
Complex, elegant and nuanced, with candied ginger, fresh mango, mandarin orange, lime sherbet and lemon blossom. Accents of lemon verbena and honeysuckle linger on the long, polished finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Composed of 98% Sauvignon Blanc and the remainder Semillon, the nose of the 2020 L'Apres-Midi is tightly wound with lime, rosemary, and white flowers. The palate is juicy and fresh, with grapefruit zest, white peach, and salty earth.
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 small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.