2023 Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes
Our 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing, light-bodied wine with vibrant tropical citrus fruit aromas. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, lime zest, and layers of fresh lemongrass dominate the nose. On the palate, bright acidity highlights secondary flavors of guava with undertones of mandarin peel and a hint of minerality. The finish is clean and brisk, accentuating the wine's natural acidity. Enjoy it chilled now through 2030, with optimal maturity in 2027.
Awards
2023 Vintage
90 Points, Decanter
90 Points, Paul Gregutt
90 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
89 Points, Wine Enthusiast - Best Buy
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2022 Vintage
95 Points & Best Buy, Great Northwest Wine
92 Points & Set Buy, Wine Enthusiast
91 Points, James Suckling
90 Points, Sean Sullivan
Best in Show White Wine, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition
88 Points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
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2021 Vintage
89 Points, Vinous
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown. Creating world-class Sauvignon Blanc starts in the vineyard. We’ve been growing Sauvignon Blanc on our estate vineyard in the Yakima Valley for over 40 years. The sites where we grow Sauvignon Blanc are perfectly suited for this grape varietal. Managing our canopies and exposing the grapes at just the right time in the growing season are also critical elements in creating this wine.
Vintage Notes
The 2023 vintage in Washington state is what we like to call normal. A mild winter gave way to a chilly start to Spring. We saw record-high temperatures by mid-April, causing the vines to come to life around the 3rd week of April. Spring temperatures were average, creating nice growth in the vineyard. Meticulous management of our vineyard blocks allowed us to manage the rapid growth and achieve our targeted crop-load sizes. June and July were very hot, one of the hottest on record for Washington State. We saw veraison fairly early in July, about 2-3 weeks earlier than usual. Having such a hot start to summer led to rapid ripening. When grapes ripen too fast, we see lower acid levels. Seeing some of the lowest acid levels in years isn’t a big issue as it is easily corrected in the cellar. Overall, the 2023 vintage stands out as truly exceptional. The grapes we harvested during this season were among the ripest we’ve witnessed in years. The flavors are amazing from this vintage – our white wines showcase bright tropical fruits with balanced, brisk acidity, and the red wines are robust yet elegant and finesse in structure. Dark berry flavors with refined tannins will create world-class wines from this vintage, which can be enjoyed in their youth or have the ability to cellar for many years.
Winemaking Notes
Our 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from our Estate Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA, an area perfectly suited for this varietal. Creating world-class Sauvignon Blanc begins in the vineyard, where we carefully manage canopies and time grape exposure during the growing season. This meticulous attention to detail results in a Sauvignon Blanc that mirrors the renowned styles of New Zealand, while showcasing the unique qualities of the Yakima Valley. Harvested in early September at optimal ripeness during the cool morning hours, our grapes retain their amazing aromatics. The grapes are hand-sorted and sent directly to the press as whole clusters for gentle pressing. After settling for about six days, the juice is cleanly racked and inoculated with a special yeast strain from New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc grapes. This strain helps maintain the fresh fruit characteristics of the wine, which is fermented at a cooler temperature of 61-62 degrees. This controlled fermentation, lasting nearly three weeks, enhances the complex aromatics while avoiding astringencies. Post-fermentation, the wine’s natural lees are stirred twice a month for two months, building body and roundness. Finally, the wine is settled, stabilized, and filtered to ensure its clarity and purity.
Food Pairing
Summer Salads
Gazpacho
Calamari with Garlic and Peas
Grilled-Vegetable Pasta with Cumin
Bucheron or Cheddar (sharp)
- Varietal Composition: Sauvignon Blanc
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Alcohol: 12.7%
- pH: 3.35
- Acidity: 7.1 g/L
- Ageability: Now through 2027