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2021 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2021 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Stags' Leap

2021 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and lively with the variety’s classic citrus fruit notes of Meyer lemon and floral white blossom. A core of bright acidity is supported by a flinty minerality which adds crispness and complexity. On the palate, white peach, green melon, Crème de citron, and pithy lime peel are accompanied by hints of white magnolia, spiced ginger, and white pepper notes. Unfolding with layers and depth, the texture is smooth, round, and supple, with a lengthy mouthwatering delicate finish. Full of grace and balance, this Sauvignon Blanc is a quintessential expression of how lovely Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley can be. Pairs perfectly with a variety of lighter fare and ideal for dining al fresco.

Technical Information

Varietal Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage 2021
Volume 750mL
Appellation Napa Valley
Blend 100% Sauvignon Blanc 
Oak Treatment 14% new and 53% neutral French Oak barrels for 6 months, 31% stainless steel
Alcohol % 14.1%

Scores & Accolades

  • 92
    "Sliced mango and peach aromas and flavors follow through to a medium body with lovely texture and a fruity finish. Really beautiful. Nice minerality." - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

Winemaking

The beauty of Sauvignon Blanc is captured in its freshness, and the modern winemaking techniques used to preserve that freshness and splendor. To improve the varietal expression prior to fermenting, the winemakers used a technique in which intentional skin contact takes place, then after pressing the juice, the juice and lees are in tank together for up to four days prior to fermentation, to create more aromatic richness and mouthfeel. The wine undergoes fermentation in-barrel in 14% new and 53% neutral French Oak barrels, while 31% of the juice was put into stainless steel tanks for additional freshness, then the wine is aged in the same barrels for six months. Three distinct Sauvignon Blanc clones are used to showcase different aromatic nuances of the varietal and to add complexity to the final blend.

Vintage

The 2021 season was joyous and welcomed after the challenges of previous vintages, producing exceptionally high-quality fruit, some of the best in recent years. Rain early in the year led to almost no notable precipitation for the rest of the season, providing an ideal environment for grapes to flower, bloom, and set in early spring, with budbreak early in April, followed by flowering and bloom in May. The summer saw early and even ripening throughout the valley, with veraison appearing in early July. Low yields (in part due to drought conditions), created fruit that is intensely flavored and smaller in berry size. One of the earliest starts, harvest began with white wine grapes coming in towards late July, while red wine grapes arrived about a month later, at the end of August. With optimal ripening and taste, our winemakers took their time bringing grapes in, crafting wines of fantastic character, with amazing color extraction, aromatic intensity, tremendous balance, and structure, that are equally lush and fruity. A tremendous year to taste the nuances and terroir distinction from around the valley.

Vineyard

Our Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from our distinctive Gamble Ranch vineyard in the Oakville AVA. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Oakville is an excellent location for growing Sauvignon Blanc, providing sufficient sun exposure for ripening with a diversity of soil types that creates beautiful balance and acidity. Sauvignon Blanc planted here shows flavor complexity and refined aromatic expression, ideal for our bottling. We waited for the perfect conditions in 2018 to produce the inaugural vintage of this Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, a tribute to the extraordinary Sauvignon Blancs grown in Bordeaux, France.