2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Bennett Ridge Vineyard

Russian River Valley

 The tradition continues with this, our sixth annual release of Sauvignon Blanc from Cris and Bob Bennett's meticulously maintained vineyard in Healdsburg – and each vintage seems to get better and better! This year's harvest was our latest ever (Sept. 16), with the extra hang-time allowing beautiful flavor development in the fruit, while the cool summer temperatures promoted retention of its natural acidity and inhibited sugars from climbing too high. In the resulting wine, I believe we've captured the essence of what good Sauvignon Blanc is supposed to be.

As always, this wine was fermented and aged in a stainless steel tank, in order to feature the bright, fresh fruit of the varietal and accentuate its compelling aromatics. In the glass, you'll immediately notice a beautiful, light straw color and sparkling clarity, perhaps even raising the bar for brilliant clarity that we achieved in 2009. This is a difficult feat for wines that, like most of our bottling, are unfiltered and unfined. However, the result is a testimony to the incredible balance and phenolic maturity of the fruit.

Aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry, and fresh cut grass leap out of the glass, framed by a touch of minerality and a hint of welcome herbaceousness, not too unlike Italian Parsley. Upon taking a sip, the initial sensation is crisp and invigorating, as the natural bracing acidity of the nectar tantalizes the palate, expanding to offer satisfying flavors consistent with the citrus and minerality on the nose, but evolving to reveal more nuanced notes of dried apricots and even a hint of melon. The finish is clean and surprisingly lengthy given the delicacy and levity of the mouthfeel, leaving you refreshed and ready for a bite of food (or another sip of Sauvignon Blanc!).

This wine is a must to have around for the warm days of spring and summer, just to sip on its own (especially if well-chilled), or to pair with sharp and/or fresh flavorful foods. Try it with a salad of fresh greens and roasted pear, topped with candied walnuts and a dab of goat cheese. You'll want to enjoy the freshness of the fruit in this wine throughout this Spring, Summer, and Fall, but I'd suggest also saving a couple bottles to drink over the next couple of years as it will be fun to see how the wine develops and matures over time!