Tasting Notes

Vibrant lemon verbena, lime blossom, wet stone and fennel flavors glide across the palate in a rich wave that finishes with a bright, refreshing lift. The long finish allows these wonderfully integrated flavors to linger deliciously on the palate.

Vineyard Notes

2014 started with worrisome, drought-like conditions, and many feared a parched, dry spring as in 2013. Refreshingly, spring rains came in February and into March providing water for the soils and filling reservoirs. The wine growing season will most be remembered for the August 24th Napa earthquake that occurred just as harvest was commencing in the Napa Valley. The vines were not affected and harvest finished early, bringing in beautiful, healthy fruit. Grape picking took place from August 19th through September 1st.

Winemaker Notes

We hand-harvested the Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon in the cool, early morning and then gently pressed the whole clusters, minimizing skin contact, to retain freshness and vibrancy in the wine. For richness and complexity, we barrel-fermented 91% of the wine in 60-gallon French oak barrels. The wine was then barrel aged on its lees (sûr lie) for eight months with hand stirring (bâtonnage) to integrate flavors and develop its creamy texture. A portion of new barrels (8%) contribute subtle oak spices to the fruit character. The wine was bottled in July, 2015.