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KATHY’S CORNER
An unusual weather report: The 2007
growing season began with a dry winter—rainfall
totals were among the lowest in over 50
years, and about ½ the usual rainfall.
Very cold temperatures in January combined
with a cool and dry spring caused early
delays in budbreak and flowering, and resulted
in very light crops. Light rainfall paired
with a good dose of wind during flowering
stacked on top of a winter frost made fruit
set quiet variable. The resulting crop
was characterized by extremely small berries
and loose clusters. This allowed more sunlight
penetration for superb development of color,
flavor and aromatics. Small berries and
fewer clusters also translated into lower
yields per acre. Our crop size was down
about 35%. However, across the board the
fruit was rich and densely flavorful with
great acidity. A stellar vintage, all in
all.
printable
notes
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THE VINEYARDS
& THE VINTAGE
• Harvested August
31to September 6, 2007 (rather typical)
• A blend of Vogelzang
and Westerly (now called McGinley) Vineyards,
both located in Happy Canyon at the most
eastern boundary of the Santa Ynez Valley
AVA.
• A prized location
for this Bordeaux-based varietal. The warm
daytime temperatures ripen the more intense
fruit flavors and dissolve the under-ripe
green qualities, while the cool evening
ocean generated fog preserves the crisp
acidity that makes our wines vibrant and
refreshing.
 THE
WINE
•
This is Loire-styled wine that is crafted
to highlight the spicy, fruit driven
fragrance of Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon
blanc, preserve the varietal minerality,
and add a dose of fullness to the mid-
palate through judicious use of tight
grain French oak. 1/3 is fermented cold
in stainless steel, 1/3 is fermented
in New French (Damy) oak, and 1/3 is
fermented in neutral French oak. The
marriage of the 3 results in a wine that
is tantalizing in aromatics and satiating
on the palate. It is most versatile and
while it is particularly enjoyable for
sipping, at the same time it holds up
to mean-grilled pork chop.
• Upon
release, it expresses lovely varietal aromatics,
light flinty minerality, grapefruit, key
lime, honeydew, and candied ginger nuances.
It has just enough velvety texture and
finishes with a little zip. Non-malolactic.
• 1053
cases produced (35% less than the prior
vintage).
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