Current Release
2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Grassini Family Vineyard
Grassini is one of the stars of Happy Canyon. It was planted 2007, with high density spacing on thin soils of sandy clay loam with some serpentinite. We purchase the fruit from three distinct blocks here, paying by the acre so that we can employ special pruning, canopy management and crop load strategies, limit irrigation and control yields. We harvest, press and ferment each block (or portion of a block) separately in a mixture of French oak barrels (75% of the total, 5% new) and stainless steel (25%). The result is highly complex, expressive and concentrated wine. The 2017 wine was crafted from our favorite barrels from the vineyard, which were given extended aging. The wine shows kaleidoscopic aromas and flavors, from peach, honeydew, kiwi fruit, granny smith apple, pineapple and fresh coconut, to stony mineral notes of granite, graphite, and a touch of sea shell, to fresh herbs (thyme, basil) and spices (nutmeg, clove).
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck, who said, “A rich powerful style in its lemon butter, lime pith, white flowers, spice, and mineral-driven aromas and flavors. Ripe, rounded, and brilliantly textured, with a rocking finish, it's up with some of the finest Sauvignon Blancs coming from California today. I’d happily include this in a blind tasting with a great vintage of Haut Brion Blanc.”
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck, who said, “A rich powerful style in its lemon butter, lime pith, white flowers, spice, and mineral-driven aromas and flavors. Ripe, rounded, and brilliantly textured, with a rocking finish, it's up with some of the finest Sauvignon Blancs coming from California today. I’d happily include this in a blind tasting with a great vintage of Haut Brion Blanc.”
Wine Profile
| Vintage | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Alcohol % | 14.4 |
| Size | 750 ml |