2017 Barrel Aged Sauvignon Blanc - Library

Limited Availability 

This wine was inspired by Jesse's time in Bordeaux with a focus on Châteaux that I was able to spend time at like Haut-Brion, Smith Haut Lafitte, and Domaine de Chevalier. He already had a love affair with the Red’s of Bordeaux with little expectations for their whites until I worked there. This is when his view on Sauvignon Blanc changed and was determined to make a Sauvignon Blanc in his home of Sonoma County that could showcase what he learned. While the fruit is 100% estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc, we decided not to label it such because of the significant Bordeaux influence that we and critics believe is more comparable. 

I even went as far to have specific barrels sent over from Bordeaux that were made particularly for Haut-Brion Blanc. I studied at Haut-Brion’s own cooperage to see them make these barrels and ultimately knew I had to ship some over from Bordeaux for this wine. These French Oak barrels that have acacia barrel heads with a very particular toast represent 10% of the oak in this wine with another 40% being new Francois Freres medium and light toast as well as 50% once-used French oak.

This approach combined with the Dry Stack fruit that Robert Parker Jr. calls, “one of California’s finest examples of this Italian clone of Sauvignon Blanc that is planted in these gravelly, loamy soils" has already produced an extremely rare honor from Wine Enthusiast that issued a 93 rating for our inaugural vintage.

This is a very special wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared.

— Jesse Katz Partner/Winemaker 

 93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

"Bordeaux Blanc-like notes of crushed lemons, chalky minerality, and dried herb notes all emerge from the 2017 White Wine Dry Stack Vineyard, a classy, medium-bodied, balanced white with loads to love. It's going to shine on the dinner table, and while it has a forward, up-front style, it should evolve for 4-6 years, if not longer."