2005 Silver Pines Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes
2005 was a difficult year; early spring rains dropped about 20% of our flowers and the summer weather drove the harvest into late September. On September 23rd we harvested a total of 6.3 tons with the Clone 7 about 60% of the total, and the Clone Musquet the remainder. This year on 25% of the Clone 7 was fermented on neutral oak again using VL-3 yeast strain. The remainder of the lot was fermented in stainless steel. The Clone Musquet was fermented in stainless steel using VL-1 yeast strain. Neither lot was allowed to start secondary fermentation. At the completion of the fermentation the lots were blended in stainless steel and prepared for bottling. Fining trials were completed in late March and the wine was bottled on April 7, 2006. Since the 2004 Sauvignon Blanc need several months in the bottle before it showed its elegance, we decided to delay the release of the 2005 until August 20, 2006 to coincide with the Family Winemakers of California wine event at Fort Mason in San Francisco.
Winemaking Notes
Our current release demonstrates what we have learned from the previous vintages: let the grapes do the talking. Leaning a bit back toward the 2003 vintage you will note a bit more citrus in the nose and the easy drinkability that characterized that wine. The elegance of the 2004 is shown again in the mouthfeel and midpalate of our current release. The lingering finish, which has been a hallmark of each vintage, will not disappoint. All in all, this is the best effort we have made; retaining the wonderful characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc grape in a wine that has the structure and balance to last for several years in your collection.
Technical Data:
| Alcohol: | 13.4%% |
| Residual Sugar: | .04 |
| Appellation: | Bennett Valley |
| Fermentation: | Clone 7: 25% Neutral Oak, all the remainder stainless steel |
| Vineyard: | Silver Pines Vineyards |
| Soil Type: | Vocanic/clay |
| Cases Produced: | 315 |