2005 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Blend
91% Sauvignon Blanc
9% Semillon
Production
12,200 cases of 750ml bottles
The Vintage
A very wet and cool spring was followed by a mild summer and temperate fall in 2005. With all of the moisture in the soil after the winter and spring rains, the grape clusters and leaf canopy grew beautifully through the summer. Leafing and thinning was the routine in the vineyards in 2005 to keep the ripening process on track.
The moderate weather provided for slow and steady grape development throughout the summer and by the middle of September, the Sauvignon Blanc grapes reached there optimum ripeness with ideal sugars and wonderful, crisp flavors.
Winemaking
The wine and winemaking techniques remain consistent from vintage to vintage because of the outstanding growing conditions in the vineyards every year. This 2005 wine follows in the Whitehall Lane style of a fruit forward and crisp Sauvignon Blanc. 70% of the fruit was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and 30% in new French oak barrels. The barrel fermented portion was aged "on the lees" for seven weeks. Utilizing both tank and barrels for fermenting and aging allows for crisp fruit flavors plus the added complexity and richness from the barrel fermentation. A small amount of Semillon was blended in to enhance the flavors and mouth-feel.
Tasting Notes
The 2005 Sauvignon Blanc is a vibrant offering with aromas of grapefruit, melon and hints of peach. It is light to medium bodied and delivers rich and refreshing citrus flavors and excellent balance.
This wine is sealed with a cork free closure. The screw cap closure has a liner that was designed specifically for wine and forms an ideal seal to retain the freshness of this Sauvignon Blanc.
