Winemaker Notes
Vaughn Duffy Sauvignon Blanc offers vibrant aromas of jasmine, orange blossom and floral notes. On the palate, the wine enters with juicy acidity and follows with a broad mouthfeel and subtle creaminess. The flavors of pink grapefruit, lemon sherbet and honeydew melon compliment this refreshing, balanced wine.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most versatile food pairing wines. If you're looking for the perfect compliment to the 2019 Hopkins Ranch, try utilizing it for a brunch with an herbaceous quiche, little gems salad with local ingredients and soft, briny goat cheeses. Also, crab season is almost upon us here in California so don't neglect to have this at your next feast!
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Focused and precise, with pretty orange blossom notes up front and fresh yuzu, pomelo and ruby grapefruit flavors at the core. Reveals a touch of lemon verbena that lingers on the long, crisp 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 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.