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The Ladera Sauvignon Blanc is planted in a very cool
area of the Estate vineyards on Howell Mountain. It was planted in this spot because we like the crisp acidity, freshness and heightened aromatics
that are inherent in cool temperature sites and it was too cold to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Petite Verdot in these blocks.
Sauvignon Blanc is delicious as a grape and our goal is to preserve as much of the grape quality in the wine as is possible. To do
this, we need cool growing conditions, especially during the early part of harvest when Sauvignon Blanc is picked.
The harvest of Sauvignon Blanc started the Ladera harvest in 2009, with the first day on August 31and finishing on September 11.
The season was ideal for the resulting wine. This blend is a combination of 58% Sauvignon Blanc, Liparita selection, 32% Sauvignon Blanc, clone
#1 and 10% Sauvignon Musque clone. The grapes were picked at a fairly low sugar, averaging 23.5, with total acidity of 7.2g/L.
The grapes were whole cluster pressed immediately after picking, while berries were still cold. The juice was cold settled overnight and
then racked to a combination of new barrels (11%), neutral barrels (5%) and stainless steel barrels (84%). The new barrels added a small amount
of toasty complexity. The neutral barrels give barrel fermentation character without overwhelming the wine with new wood. The stainless
barrels preserve the vibrant fresh fruit aromas but still give the wine the lush mouth feel from aging with the lees. The wine was cold fermented
for two weeks and aged on the lees for 5 months. 965 cases were bottled on March 16, 2010.
This wine is brilliant to the eye with its beautiful golden hue and crystal clean edges. The inclusion of the Sauvignon
Musque, a unique clone of Sauvignon Blanc, adds the tropical fruit and melon characteristics to the wine.
Howell Mountain is a cool site and the character of this wine tends toward the flavors of a cool climate wine. There are green apple, pear,
grassy and melon aromas, along with the hints of vanilla from the lees contact and the small amount of new barrels. The Ladera Sauvignon Blanc
palate is most characterized by the crisp acidity and the mouthwatering texture. The low alcohol also contributes to a perfectly balanced wine that
pairs well with a variety of fish, cheeses, fresh summer vegetables and spicy cuisine.
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