Winemaker Notes
Brilliant pale, almost a transparent greenish yellow. Elegant, fresh salinity, grapefruit and citrus peels, white asparagus, chili pepper, herbal notes and mineral notes. Fresh and fruity palate with
good body, acidity and finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 1865 Selected Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc was produced with fruit from Leyda, 3.5 kilometers away from the sea. The wine is aromatic and intense, with pungent aromas and flavors (yellow chili, citrus), which is part of the character of the zone. It has moderate alcohol and very good freshness, and 25% of the volume was aged in French oak barrels for six months, which seems to add creaminess and some complexity. This has always been produced from the same vineyard (since 2007) and has the classical profile from the granite soils and marine influence, but going more in the direction of Sancerre than New Zealand. It's from a balanced year with good freshness and is pungent and herbal, with a dry, serious palate, tasty and long.
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.
An officially recognized sub-zone in the southern part of the San Antonio Valley, the Leyda Valley was the original settlement of the wine pioneers who came to the area in the 1990s. They were in search of cooler and wetter growing conditions—as compared to more eastern, drier and often warmer locations.
Planting, which began only in the late 1990s, focused on Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot noir and some limited spots for Syrah. The area continues to receive well-earned accolades for wines of these varieties.