theCompass
 Home   Map   Blog Roll   WineCompass   Wine 101   My Compass 

Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County

Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County Wine Details
Price:

Description: Bright citrus-like aroma similar to grapefruit. This wine has a very clean focused fruitiness which is predominantly citrus-like with a background of apricot. The 2002 Guenoc Valley Sauvignon Blanc has a very smooth entry which leads to a full bodied soft and appealing mouth feel. It finishes with a classic Sauvignon Blanc crispness. This wine was stainless steel fermented at low temperatures (average 45F) with the classic VL3 yeast from the Bordeaux (Graves) district in France. This yeast is known for enhancing the varietal flavors of Sauvignon Blanc specifically. The clone on Sauvignon Blanc which was responsible for this wine is the Sauvignon Musque clone of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. A small amount of Viognier was blended into the wine to enhance the floral aspects of the aroma.

Varietal Definition
Sauvignon Blanc:
Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California — at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety — and often assumes the moniker ‘Fume Blanc’. This popular synonym, credited to Napa’s Robert Mondavi, derives from the grape’s historic home of Pouilly in France’s Upper Loire Valley, where Sauvignon Blanc is the dominant varietal and goes locally by the name of ‘Blanc Fumé’. When treated with respect and afforded suitable growing conditions, Sauvignon Blanc is one of the wine world’s darlings. Steely, racy acidity, green, gooseberry fruit, asparagus and a grassy, herbaceous character characterize dry wines made from this grape.
Viognier:
The most acclaimed white wine grape from France's Rhône Valley, Viognier is a highly aromatic varietal, with a flavor profile that could include peach, apricot, nectarine, lichee, musk and flower blossom. The heady perfume of this varietal is one of its trademarks, although its flavors are sometimes problematic in matching with food. However, it does well with lobster, crab and moderately flavored fish. Use it as an apéritif as an alternative to Chardonnay. The "Rhône Rangers" in California have done an excellent job promoting this varietal.


Reviews




Back to Guenoc and Langtry Estate Vineyards & Winery information