Winemaker Notes
The light gold 2022 ‘L’Après-Midi’ rises from the glass with an array of lemon and orange blossoms, jasmine, pear, and yellow peach with flourishes of baking spices and lemon curd. A bright, expressive entry with juicy, well-integrated acidity gives way to a plush mouthfeel with apricot, passion fruit, and vanilla cream highlights. The exuberant 2022 ‘L’Après-Midi’ finishes with notes of mango, lemon zest, and lime blossom.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 92% Sauvignon Blanc and the rest Semillon, the 2022 Chardonnay Paradis is a similar silver/yellow hue. It retains a lot of appeal upfront, with aromas of grapefruit zest, melon rind, and tropical flowers, and it’s more forward compared to the Coeur A Coeur. The palate is finessed, nuanced, and seamless, with a delicate creamy texture and a rounded feel.
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James Suckling
Plenty of apples, pears and green melon with hints of green mangoes. Some steely undertones. Medium-bodied with bright and vivid freshly cut fruit. Delicious finish. Hints of stone and blossom honey. About 8% semillon.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc L’Apres-Midi, blended with 8% Sémillon and matured in about 15% new French oak, features ringing tones of peach, kiwi, tarragon and white lily with undertones of candle smoke, flint and petrichor. The palate opens with pure fruit before unfurling expansive, savory accents, and its fresh acidity balances its satiny, mouth-coating texture. Its juxtaposition of concentrated fruit and shimmery tension draws you back to the glass for another dynamic sip, and although it's approachable now, it will develop complexity in bottle over the next decade.
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Wine Spectator
Elegant, supple and detailed, showing plump notes of persimmon pudding, lemon curd and quince, with a vibrant, mouthwatering thread of lemon zest and lime sherbet, plus aromatic accents of jasmine, fennel seed and tarragon. Fresh and vibrant on the long 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.
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.