Winemaker Notes
Late spring rains kept 2009 from being the third bad drought year in California. While still a bit under normal rainfall, it could have been worse. Summer had good heat with less heat spikes over 100 degrees than we sometimes see in Napa. We picked in early September.
Aromas are complex, with pineapple, apricot, peach, fig, honeysuckle, bees wax, lemon cream, mineral, slight nutmeg, and vanilla. All this developed fruit translates very well on the palate with a fine balance between good acidity and rich viscosity.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Winemaker/proprietor Mia Klein has always done a top-flight job with Sauvignon Blanc. The Loire Valley-styled 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Hyde Vineyard reveals the texture of a mid-weight Chardonnay. Aromas of melon, figs and spicy, smoky gun flint jump from the glass of this complex Sauvignon. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity as well as a surprisingly intense mid-palate, it should age for several 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.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.