2023 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is largely from the Stewart Ranch Vineyard, with its toes in the estuary south of the city of Napa. It is a late developing site and its tropical flavors, crisp acidity and cool climate chemistry add zip to the lovely riper Windy Flats Clone 1 grapefruit character. 2023 had plenty of rain, saturated soil profiles and nice warm roller coaster temperatures without ever getting hot. The fruit was harvested on September 7, 15 and 21. Alba Fria, one of the new “sleeping beauty” yeasts was used on many of the lots that fermented in stainless steel tanks. After dryness, the wine was racked to neutral oak, acacia, and stainless-steel barrels to rest until bottling in January after a brief fining and settling.

Winemaker Alison Doran’s tasting notes:  The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc offers aromas of orange blossom, nectarine, and white rose. Crafted in an entirely dry style, the white peach and melon flavors create a creamy lingering palate with balanced acidity and a caressing finish.