Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Ziblatt Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc delivers prototypical varietal characters and excellent concentration, and straddles the elusive balance between old and new world styles. A classic Sancerre-like minerality anchors a complex array of aromas, where peach, pear and tropical fruits mingle with herbs and grassiness. The palate is light and crisp, adding flavors of spicy grapefruit, tangerine and lemon zest. The wine’s balance, elegance and intensity beg another sip.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
An inviting, soothing texture and subtle fruit and oak flavors give this small-lot wine a sophisticated feel, not hiding the inherent citrus and herb characters but bolstering them with measured richness.
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.
Perhaps the most historically significant appellation in Sonoma County, the Sonoma Valley is home to both Buena Vista winery, California's oldest commercial winery, and Gundlach Bundschu winery, California's oldest family-run winery.
It is also one of the more geologically and climactically diverse districts. The valley includes and overlaps four distinct Sonoma County sub-appellations, including Carneros, Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Mountain and Bennett Valley. With mountains, benchlands, plains, abundant sunshine and the cooling effects of the nearby Pacific, this appellation can successfully produce a wide range of grape varieties. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, and most notably, Zinfandel all thrive here. Ancient Zinfandel vines over 100 years old produce small crops of concentrated, spicy fruit, which in turn make some of the Valley's most unique wines. These can also be made as “field blends” (wines made from a mix of grape varieties grown in the same vineyard) along with Petite Sirah, Carignan and Alicante Bouschet.