Winemaker Notes
Vette is named for the imposing peaks that rise above its Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, and it is the true height of refreshing crispness and earthy minerality.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
You could mistake this very elegant sauvignon blanc for a modern-style Loire wine. Plenty of cassis, lemon zest and some dried sage on the subtle, enticing nose. Then, on the tightly focused, dry palate, there’s plenty of herb and mineral character. Long, very crisp finish. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From a warm vintage, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Vette di San Leonardo is floral and fragrant with decisively tropical themes of green papaya and guava all backed by plenty of yellow rose and honeysuckle. Compared to the 2018 vintage that is a bit thinner, this vintage shows a tad more textural padding and fiber. Fundamentally, the wine remains lean-bodied and tonic, but some of the vintage warmth is transmitted through the fruit. This northern Italian Sauvignon Blanc concludes with a fresh squeeze of citrus or grapefruit.
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 mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.