Tasting Notes

The 2016 Hourglass Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of three contrasting vineyards and clones. The Larkmead Lane vineyard is on the same mineral rich alluvial gravel beds as our Blueline Estate, just down the street. As such, this site elicit a vibrancy and stony minerality akin to that expressed in our Blueline Estate reds. Crisp tangy Granny Smith apple with overtones of tropical fruits are the hallmarks of the vineyard. By contrast, the 47 year-old head-trained vines of the Varozza vineyard in St. Helena yield intensely rich, pure fruit with a distinctive white peach character. In 2016 we added Semillon from the famed Gamble Ranch in Yountville for more dimension, complexity and mid-palate texture. Between these vineyards and three fermentation techniques - stainless steel, seasoned oak and new oak - we make up to seven distinctly different wines then blend them to create a complex and layered Sauvignon Blanc that is both vibrant and rich. The 2016 vintage features 80% whole cluster press, 20% skin contact, 100% native yeast fermentation and no malolactic.

Primary aromas of lemon and lime zest, orange blossom and Granny Smith apples open to flavors of limeade, cut hay, white peach, pineapple and vanilla bean. Wet stone minerality from the Larkmead fruit provides a wonderful counterbalance and tension to the pure fruit expressions from the Varozza and Gamble vineyards.   

~Jeff Smith, March 2017

Other Vintages

2018 Hourglass Estate Sauvignon Blanc
2017 Hourglass Estate Sauvignon Blanc
2015 Hourglass Estate Sauvignon Blanc
2014 Hourglass Estate Sauvignon Blanc
2013 Hourglass Estate Sauvignon Blanc