Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
A beautifully balanced, solidly yet richly constructed Sauvignon Blanc from a superb vineyard, this fabulous bottling produced by the equally superb David Ramey, whose wines under his own eponymously named label have racked up some of the highest praise seen in these pages, is yet another big-time star from his stable. Although a wine of restrained ripeness, at 13.5% alcohol, it shows as open, rich and complex with admirable volume and depth, and yet there is balance rather than sprawl at every turn. Its Sauvignon Blanc greens make their presence known as does a fair dollop of oak, and even in its youthful state, there is plenty of sophistication with more to come over time. We will drink it now, and we will save some in the cellar.
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 standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.