2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Juliana Vineyards
BLEND
98% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Semillon
VINEYARDS
Juliana Vineyards Ranch 13 & 15
APPELLATION
Napa Valley
WINEMAKING
- Whole-cluster pressed
- 100% barrel fermented in French Oak (22% one-year-old barrels)
- No malolactic fermentation
ALCOHOL
14.2% by volume
RELEASE DATE
June, 2008
BOTTLING DATE
April, 2008
PRODUCTION
571 cases
CELLARING
Enjoy now through 2009.
WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Our Juliana Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc comes from very low yielding vines. After de-stemming, we leave 70% of the fruit on the skins for a few hours to enhance the mouthfeel and improve the aromatic expression. The fruit is fermented slowly at cool temperatures (52° to 60°F) in French oak (22% one year old) barrels. Our intent is to preserve and enhance the delicate varietal nuances, while enhancing the wine with some subtle barrel notes and additional weight in the mouth.
The 2007 vintage was one of the best in recent memory. After a normal bud break, the valley experienced mild weather through the growing season with a slightly cooler summer and warm September. This climate resulted in slow, even ripening with a crop just slightly smaller than normal, and the highly desired small berry size. Winemakers across the valley are very excited about the 2007 vintage.
The finished wine has expressive aromatic notes of ripe honeydew melon, white peach, tangerine gelato, jasmine, ginger and honeysuckle. The mouthfeel is rich and round with a good palate weight and a long finish. Our favorite parings with this supple Sauvignon Blanc are mussels in a garlic-herb and white wine broth, or Bouillabaisse.
