Aperture Sauvignon Blanc 2021
(Sonoma County, California) - [WA 96] [DM 91] [TWI 91] [JD 91]

Notes from the Winemaker:
The striking array of intricate tropical flavors and the stunning bouquet of floral aromatics in the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc demonstrates a decadent expression of the varietal. Our custom barrel-fermentation, adapted from winemaker Jesse Katz's experience at Haut-Brion in Bordeaux, creates distinct richness on the palate that is balanced by the varietal's quintessential bright, natural acidity.

VINEYARD:
A combination of our Estate property sémillon and sauvignon musqué in Russian River Valley and Dry Stack Vineyard’s sauvignon blanc in Bennett Valley.

APPELLATION
Sonoma County

VARIETALS
97% Sauvignon Blanc
3% Sémillon

AGING
Aged 6 Months
1/3 New French Oak
1/3 Once Used French Oak
1/3 Neutral French Oak

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is blended with three percent Sémillon and matured for six months in one-third new, once-used and older barrels. Sourced mainly from the Dry Stack Vineyard in Bennett Valley, this latest release includes fruit from the Aperture estate vineyards in Healdsburg. In 2022, even more vines will be dedicated to the Sauvignon Blanc, from newly planted vines in the recently purchased Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley. In the glass, flinty tones give way to perfumed white peach, tarragon, citrus blossoms, toast and beeswax. The palate is medium-bodied, satiny and expansive with concentrated, flint-laced flavors countered by tangy acidity. Its flavors are anchored by a touch of textural grip that also drives the honeyed finish, and this has the potential to develop savory complexity in bottle over the next 3-5 years or more. 1,808 cases produced." - Erin Brooks (3/23/23)

91 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Inspired by his experience at Haut-Brion in Bordeaux, Jesse crafted this bright, sunny Sauvignon Blanc using fruit from Aperture’s Russian River estate vineyards. With notes of citrus, grass, boxwood, and toasted oak on the nose and lemon verbena, grapefruit, savory herbs, and toasted oak on the palate, this wine has a subtle weight and palpable tension." - BH (Aug 2022)

91 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc has 3% Semillon in the blend and was aged 5 months in French oak, 33% of it new. It springs from the glass with notes of peach juice, passion fruit, and pineapple upside-down cake, leading to hints of honeysuckle and lime leaves with a waft of cedar. The medium-bodied palate is zippy and refreshing, with a silky texture and loads of stone fruit and citrus layers on the long finish. 1,808 cases were made." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Oct 2022)

91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc was 100% barrel fermented and barrel aged and is sourced from the coldest site they work with. A rich perfume of redcurrant, lemon balm, and pink grapefruit is followed by great mid-palate concentration, with an undercurrent of driving citrus through the finish. Drink 2022-2026." - Audrey Frick (8/2/2022)