[ Home > Wines > White Wines > Sauvignon Blanc > Sauvignon Blanc > Clos Pegase Sauvignon Blanc 2007 ]
Winter of 2007 proved to be one of the lowest rainfalls in the past decade, starting them off with limited reserves for the growing season. Budbreak occurred in mid- to late-March with flowering a brisk 8 weeks later. Their phenological timing was close to the ‘average’ dates for the vine growth stages of budbreak, flowering and veraison. Vigor was restricted naturally by the low soil-moisture levels, which proved a boon for creating balanced canopies in the growing season. Summer was marked by occasional, but mild, heat spikes, and the beginning of harvest saw temperatures hover near 100 in late August, starting them off with a flurry of activity. Their first pass for Sauvignon Blanc was September 7th after the heat abated, and they proceeded to harvest the remaining portions at one week intervals with increasing ripeness levels. The first pass gives the grass and hay character, and the later picks show the tropical/ melon notes. In the style of the Loire Valley they fermented two-thirds of this wine in 130 gallon puncheons, allowing them to gain barrel ferment complexity, as well as the subtle influence of new French oak. The remaining portion embraces the new world; fermented and aged in stainless steel at cool temperatures to preserve the gooseberry and tropical fruit tones. Both lots undergo no malolactic fermentation to retain a crisp acidity, and receive extensive lees stirring to give fatness and richness to the palate. The wine is filled with hay, gooseberry, flint and cut grass aromas, with hints of lime, gooseberry, grapefruit and melon. The palate is supple and vibrant with great length. |
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