Merryvale Sauvignon Blanc Starmont, 2007

Our 2007 Starmont Sauvignon blanc exhibits classic pale-straw color, with intense aromatics of lemon zest, crenshaw melon, kiwi and ripe grapefruit along with pronounced mineral and wet-stone with a hint of herbal “green” Sauvignon note. The wine has excellent viscosity combining barrel-fermented roundness with refreshing acidity leading to a long finish.

The 2007 vintage was one of the best in recent memory. After a normal bud break, the valley experienced mild weather through the growing season with a slightly cooler summer and warm September. This climate resulted in slow, even ripening with a crop just slightly smaller than normal, and the highly desired small berry size. Winemakers across the valley are very excited about the 2007 vintage.

Our Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from several distinct growing regions within the Napa Valley, including Oak Knoll, Rutherford, and Oakville, each contributing a different expression of the varietal. This wine was fermented slowly at cool temperatures (50° to 58°F), in a combination of French oak (70% of the blend; only 5% new) and stainless steel tanks (30%). Our intent is to preserve and enhance the delicate varietal nuances.

98% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Semillon, this wine is whole-cluster pressed with 70% of the wine fermented in neutral French oak barrels. No malolactic fermentation took place.