Shangra-li Mendo Savvy B 2019

Why:Really good fruit. When I learned there was some Sauvignon Blanc available from Feliz Creek, I jumped on the opportunity. The vines are growing in such a way that most commodity farmers would say ‘rip and replant’. These are also the types of vineyards that can produce intensely distinctive wines.

Vineyard notes: Just out of Hopland this vineyard is surrounded by oak woodlands. The vineyard is in decline and the low yields produce intense & concentrated fruit. The soils are alluvial loams left from the Russian River. Organic, dry farmed, no till.

Tasting notes: Fruity & mouthwatering with a lo-fi edge. Passionfruit, grapefruit, nectarine, & bitter almond. Plenty of fruit with texture and salinity.

Vinification: The fruit was destemmed and left on skins to macerate overnight to benefit from Sauvignon Blanc’s aromatics and structure. The juice was sent to stainless tank with some grape solids and allowed to ferment natively. Sometimes a-typical for SB this wine also went through native malolactic fermentation which contributes to a natural stability. The wine was racked off of fermentation lees at about 6 months, and once more before bottling. This wine was produced without any additions. Unfined, unfiltered, no sulfites.