1998 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Mountain
Vintage
1998
Price
$20
Release Date
January 2000
Appellation
Sonoma Mountain
Availability
Only at the Winery
Vineyards
Benziger Estate Vineyard
Grapes
- 80% Sauvignon Blanc
- 20% Semillon
Vintage
1998 was, for the most part, a very late and very wet growing season. For all the build, up El Nino did not disappoint. The wet winter and spring pushed everything later into the summer and fall. Bloom finished in July rather than June and verasion in late August and September rather than July. Harvest typically comes 45 to 60 days after verasion and when verasion goes into September there is the danger that some varieties will not get ripe. As is so often the case, it comes down to weather, and the weather was consistently inconsistent. There were high temperatures and rain and the ongoing threat of more rain. Then from out of the blue came a beautiful indian summer in October that literally saved the vintage. 1998 will be remembered as a vintage that tested everyone involved in wine growing. For those with nerves of steel and a dedication to quality the rewards were there.
Vinification
The fruit for our Estate Sauvignon Blanc is triple sorted. A few days before picking we send a crew through the vineyard to drop any fruit that is defective. At harvest all fruit is picked by hand and another selection occurs, finally there is the option to do a third culling on a sorting table before the clusters are destemmed. We take only the free run juice for this wine. The juice is settled and then cold barrel fermented to preserve fruit flavors and add complexity. After four months in barrel the two varieties are blended and returned to barrels to marry until bottling.
Tasting Notes
The wine shows flavors of kiwi, fig and pineapple with a long, rich finish. Pair this Sauvignon Blanc with salads, poultry and seafood dishes.