Easton Sauvignon Blanc Monarch Mine Vineyard

Wine Information
Our Sauvignon Blanc, is made from estate grapes grown at the Monarch Mine Vineyard, overlooking the American River Canyon at 2,500 feet, near the town of Foresthill in Placer County. We planted a four acre vineyard at this severe rocky site to two different selections of Sauvignon Blanc: Clone One (the original Bor- deaux selection in California from Chateau Yquem) and the Musqué clone. This distinctive clone was import- ed from the viticultural station in Pont-de-la-Maye near Bordeaux around 1962. Compared with Clone One which has an herbaceous, green character and crisp acidity, Musqué has better viscosity and shows floral and tropical fruit aromas. We find these two clones complementary. We cold ferment these two varieties together in a stainless steel tank at 55 ̊F and then age them for nine months in neutral French oak barrels on lees be- fore bottling it in late March the year following harvest. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation and therefore retains its delicious crispness. The complex and exotic fruit flavors suggest among other things: key lime, casaba melon, and papaya. The extended lees aging and battonage enhances the mouth feel. The wine finishes with brisk mineral notes.

It has neither the excessive herbaceousness of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc nor the creamy richness of some California Sauvignon Blancs that lean towards a Chardonnay profile. It is the perfect foil for all seafood, and absolutely satisfying as an aperitif.