Winemaker Notes
Our 2007 Rudd Sauvignon Blanc exhibits tremendous fruit expression of the terroir from which it comes. Our own Mt. Veeder vineyard, which is planted on steep hillside slopes at the top of the Mayacama mountain range, continues to mature and contributes an even higher proportion of the blend for this vintage. The small amount of Semillon comes from an old vineyard north of Calistoga that has intense fruit and very low yields.
The Sauvignon Blanc from Mt. Veeder comes from three different clones. Clone 1, the most traditional clone used in California, has classic acidity and structure, a Musque clone that delivers amazing floral aromatics and a special French clone 530 which has ripe melon and tropical notes and adds a rich viscosity to the wine.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Leslie Rudd is doing an outstanding job with Sauvignon Blanc, and his offering has become one of the three or four finest Sauvignons in the Napa/Sonoma/Mendocino area. The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (1,260 cases) is a gorgeously sexy Sauvignon exhibiting pronounced notes of honeyed melons, hints of figs and smoke, and a waxy orange-like character. It possesses the lovely texture of a white Burgundy along with the aromatic complexity and zesty acidity of a California Sauvignon. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 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.
Centered at the peak for which it is named, Mount Veeder is Napa’s largest sub-AVA. But even though the entire appellation spreads over 16,000 acres, vineyards cover a mere 1,000. Scattered among Douglas firs and bristlecone pines, Mount Veeder vineyards extend south from the upper elevations of the Mayacamas Mountains—the highest point at 2,400 feet—to the border of the Carneros region. Less than 25 wineries produce wine from Mount Veeder fruit.
Winemaking began early in this appellation. In 1864, Captain Stelham Wing presented the first Mount Veeder wine to the Napa County Fair; it came from today’s Wing Canyon Vineyard. Prohibition, of course, halted winemaking and viticulture wasn’t revitalized until the founding of Mayacamas Vineyards in 1951 and Bernstein Vineyards in 1964.
The Bernstein Vineyards was actually home to the first Petit Verdot in California, planted in 1975. Today most of the Petit Verdot in Napa Valley originates from this vineyard.
Rocky volcanic clay and ancient seabed matter dominate Mount Veeder soils—perfect for Bordeaux varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot enjoy spectacular success. These varieties produce wines rich in brambly blackberry and black cherry fruit with herbal and floral aromatics. Structures are moderate to assertive and wines have great staying power.
Chardonnay from Mount Veeder is lush, full and balanced mineral and fresh citrus flavors.