Aperture Sauvignon Blanc 2022
(Sonoma County, California) - [WA 95] [WS 94] [JD 94] [DM 93] [JS 92] [WE 90]

Notes from the Winemaker:
The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc incorporates our estate-grown sémillion and sauvignon
musqué, that we planted on the Aperture property in 2019. These two estate blocks
were hand-harvested in early Stepember at the same time as the Sauvignon Blanc
from Farrow Ranch in Geyserville. The Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Stack Vineyard in
the Bennett Valley AVA was brought to the winery in early October, consistent with
this vineyard’s unique late-ripening characteristics.

Basing the pressure on the acid measurements, we lightly whole cluster press the
fruit to a stainless steel tank where we let the juice chill at 50°F. After three days,
we clean-rack it to a smaller tank leaving the heavy sediment behind. Three days
later,fermentation starts naturally and keeps below 56°F until 18 brix when we
transfer the young wine to barrels. There, it spends the remaining time on lees until
just before bottling. Once transferred to barrel, the wine is placed in our cold barrel
room to keep fermentation cool and slow to intentionally preserve the bright
aromatics and fresh quality. As the wine slowly ferments for an additional 3 weeks
in barrel, we top and stir weekly. The wine stays in those same barrels for 6 months.

- Jesse Katz

VINEYARD
We work with a combination of vineyards for this wine. 31% of our estate Sémillon and Sauvignon Musqué in Russian River Valley, 26% Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Stack Vineyard in Bennett Valley, and 19% Sauvignon Blanc from our estate property, Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley.

APPELLATION
Sonoma County

VARIETALS
84% Sauvignon Blanc
16% Sémillon

BARREL PROGRAM
Aged 6 months
33% new French oak
30% once used French oak
15% neutral French oak
12% cement tank

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is blended with 16% Sémillon and was matured mostly in French oak (33% new) plus a smaller portion of cement tank. It's the first vintage where so much Sémillon has been included—since acquiring Farrow Ranch in 2021, winemaker Jesse Katz has been able to add some of that site's fruit into his Aperture wines. It has alluring tones of white peach, kumquat, meringue and crème brûlée on the nose, plus wafts of floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate offers expansive flavors that segue from candied citrus to guava and vanilla pots de crème. It has a luxuriously satiny texture balanced by focused acidity and a very long, flavorful finish. 3,200 cases produced." Drink 2025-2032. - Erin Brooks (December 2023)

94 Points - Wine Spectator: "Powerful and expressive, starting with fresh Meyer lemon curd and Key lime pie flavors, showing hints of pineapple and ripe salted melon on a smooth, succulent body. Features fresh, juicy acidity, with a long, expressive and remarkable finish. Drink now. 3,226 cases made." - MaryAnn Worobiec (April 2024)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Pale straw with green highlights, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is savory and floral with aromatics of fresh herbs, grapefruit rind, beeswax, and soft floral notes as well as delicate oak spice. Medium-bodied, it has an elegant, supple texture, ripe notes of quince, wet stones, and preserved citrus, and lifted saline. This is an exquisite wine to drink over the next 5-6 years." - Audrey Frick (July 2023)

93 Points - Decanter:
"As part of Aperture's Soil Series, winemaker Jesse Katz looks for specific expressions of soil types in the wine. The blend of barrel fermentation and Sémillon makes this rich, creamy Bordeaux-style take on California Sauvignon Blanc a winner—aromas of nutmeg and honey from the understated oak accent elements of baked apple and stone. The body is rich, with honeyed pear flavours, beeswax, savoury thyme and grilled peaches. This is a wonderful wine that balances body with a brilliant finish." Drink 2023-2030. - Clive Pursehouse (April 2023)

92 Points - James Suckling:
"This is a different sauvignon blanc with creamy texture alongside the melon, banana and mango character. Medium body. Pretty finish with just a hint of vanilla. A blend of 84% Sauvignon Blanc and 16% Semillon. Drink now." (December 2023)

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"This lemon and herb-driven wine shows good citrus acidity and a silky texture draped with lemon zest, parsley and thyme flavors. It's well suited for seafood and doesn't go over the top in terms of herbaceousness." - Jim Gordon (December 2023)