Aperture Sauvignon Blanc 2023
(Sonoma County, California) - [WE 94] [JD 94] [DM 94] [WA 93] [JS 93] [WS 92]

About the Winery:
Founded in 2009 by first-generation winemaker Jesse Katz, Aperture was born from a desire to craft California wines with the elegance and structure of the best Bordeaux estates. Katz—who previously worked at legendary estates like Pétrus and Screaming Eagle—focuses on cool-climate, high-elevation vineyards that bring out vibrant acidity and silky, refined tannins.

Aperture Cellars is so-named because the company is a collaboration with his father, Andy Katz, a professional photographer (an “aperture” is the opening in a lens through which light passes into a camera; it’s Andy’s photography on all the labels.) At Aperture, the wines shed light on what Bordeaux varieties in the cooler pockets of Sonoma are capable of. Warm, sunny days and brisk nights ensure that every bottle bursts with freshness, no matter how generous the fruit. None other than Wine Spectator has described our wines as “plump, intense and juicy” while remaining “clean and complex.”

Notes from the Winemaker:
The 2023 sauvignon blanc was originally inspired by winemaker Jesse Katz’s experience at Haut Brion in Bordeaux. Our unique barrel program provides the wine with a distinct complexity and a subtle weight on the palate.

VINEYARD
We harvest grapes from three vineyards for this wine. Our estate sémillon and sauvignon musqué in Russian River Valley, sauvignon blanc from Dry Stack Vineyard in Bennett Valley, and sauvignon blanc from our estate property, Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley.

APPELLATION
Sonoma County

VARIETALS
82% Sauvignon Blanc
18% Sémillon

BARREL PROGRAM
Aged 6 Months
30% new French oak
30% once used French oak
25% neutral French oak
15% cement tank

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points & Editor's Choice - Wine Enthusiast:
"The wine opens with white flowers, Meyer lemon, rocky minerality and spice on the nose. The palate is broad, rich and long, with plenty of tension between the citrus-laden acidity and the plush texture lent by a little bit of Sémillon and barrel aging. This is among the best Sauvignon Blancs out there. Period." - Tom Capo (Oct 2024)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc includes the addition of 20% Sémillon and was raised in a combination of French oak and a small portion of cement. Pouring a brilliant silver/straw hue, it takes on a distinctly Bordeaux Blanc-styled profile on the nose, with crystalline aromas of lemon candies, spices, tropical flowers, and fresh grapefruit. Medium-bodied, with a luxurious, rounded feel, it reveals a lot of refinement on the palate, offering a silky texture and a weightless, mouthwatering finish. It’s only going to improve if given the chance, but it’s delicious now. Drink 2025-2035." - Audrey Frick (Jun 2024)

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"For the 2023 Aperture Sauvignon Blanc, winemaker Jesse Katz pulled out all of the stops. This white was sourced from all estate fruit from some of Aperture's coolest sites, including the use of d'Yquem clones and the addition of 20% Semillon from the Dry Stack vineyard (the highest proportion since the first vintage of their Sauvignon in 2016). While a small portion was fermented in cement, this 2023 mainly was barrel-fermented, including using Haut-Brion barrels with Acacia wood toasted heads. All of this has gone into crafting a lively and complex white. Super bright aromatics lead with melon, pear, green apple, white pepper, honeycomb, and white flowers. The palate has a medium-bodied feel with a fantastic display of saline-scented orchard, stone fruits, and green papaya. Crisp, laser-focused acidity, with an intense back-midpalate pop of juicy citrus like an exploding cumquat, fuels the long, extended finish of wild herbs, acacia wood, salted almonds, and a dash of white pepper." - Jonathan Cristaldi (Apr 2024)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is blended with 20% Sémillon and was matured for six months in 30% new French oak. It has alluring aromas of white peach, green guava, beeswax, tarragon and flint. It floods the mouth with pure, layered flavors delivered in a satiny texture. It’s balanced by electric acidity and has a long, perfumed finish. Treat it like a Bordeaux Blanc and allow it to gain savory complexity in bottle over the next 5-8 years. 5,810 cases produced." - Erin Brooks (Dec 2024)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"A spicy, barrel-fermented white that combines fresh citrus and vivid herbal flavors on a smooth texture and rather light body. Includes about 20% semillon for extra breadth and richness. Grapefruit, lemon zest, light baking spices, fresh herbs and minerals. Made from only estate fruit. Drink now or hold." (Mar 2025)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Distinctive and aromatic, this shows notes of grilled Meyer lemon, honeysuckle and wild fennel, with an appealing savory touch of preserved lemon. Hints of candied citrus peel and ginger, with a whiff of smoke, linger on the supple, juicy frame. Drink now. 5,800 cases made." - MaryAnn Worobiec (Dec 2024)