1995 Estate Tribute White
Vintage
1995
Price
$18
Release Date
April 1997
Appellation
Sonoma Mountain
Availability
Only at the Winery
Vineyards
Sonoma Mountain - Benziger Family
Grapes
- 55% Semillon
- 45% Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage
1995 was characterized by a long, cool, growing season, though poor weather at bloom reduced yields by 10%. This was a year of transition for Tribute White, using fruit planted in 1992 for the first time in the blend. The new fruit, from vines planted adjacent to the old blocks, still has obvious differences compared to the older vines. The Sauvignon Blanc, harvested on Septemebr 19, remains similar though it ripened earlier with a softer acid signature. The semillon, harvested on October 4, has much more forward flavors with the traditional fig and leafy character replaced by pineapple and citrus. This year's harvest produced uniformly ripe berries with intense flavors.
Vinification
The two lots were individually cold (55° Fahrenheit) barrel fermented for four to six weeks in new, one and two year old French barrels, stirred one time. The wines were blended with their lees and aged until December 1996 in four-year-old French oak barrels and bottled in February 1997. Alcohol: 13.5% Total Acidity: .70 pH: 3.28 residual sugar: .02 307 cases produced
Tasting Notes
This wine has great balance and structure and aromas of pineapple, yeast, toast and orange citrus. Particularly complex due to extended sur-lie barrel aging. Great length that carries forever.