Premiere Napa Valley - Great Grape Day
Last week the showcased their 2006 wines from the barrel. Mostly red wine, big, lumbering,hulky sorts.
Two wines that provided palate relief were the 2005 and the 2005 Sauvignon Blanc.
Both are predominantly Napa Valley fruit. The Duckhorn is 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon, all Napa Valley. It is a crisp,refreshing wine that keeps up with the winery red wines.30% barrel fermented, 6 months sur lie (on the lees). “Abundant harvest and remarkable quality”, is how the winery describes the wine
The Spottswoode is 57% Sauvignon Musque and 42% Sauvignon Blanc, 100% barrel fermented in a combination of French Oak and steel barrels. The fruit has been sourced from the Frediani Vineyard in Calistoga, Hyde Vineyard in the Carneros, Ashe Vineyard in Oakville and Farina Vineyard in Sonoma Valley. The winery tasting notes describe the wine: “Floral gardenia, candle wax, wet stone, succulent fig, and exotic lemongrass characterize the vintage. The finish is alive with a crisp minerality, yet it is also creamy and rich.”
Napa is the home to the grand slam red wine, but these two Sauvignon Blancs hold their own with the big boys and offer excellent examples of what two of the top Napa Valley wineries can do with their white wine.
