R&B Cellars

Vineyards:
We have found over the years that oftentimes the best blend of a certain varietal will be better with a mix of regions, and also that blending can add significantly to the complexity of the final wine. This superb wine is a combination of Sauvignon Blanc from two excellent regions of California, each bringing its own distinct characteristic to the blend.

Cellar Practices and Winemaking:
In order to create a wine with richness and complexity yet still fruit driven and varietally accurate, we blended 2006 Rutherford Bench Sauvignon Blanc that was fermented in stainless steel with 2006 St. Helena and Healdsburg Sauvignon Blanc that was barrel fermented. The combination of these two areas yielded a wine with exceptional varietal character and flavor. The oak program on the three wines was very different. The Rutherford Bench was completely tank fermented to maintain crisp citrus tomes. The two Napa Valley lots received 80% new oak to add structure, complexity and creaminess. The wine was gently cross flow filtered, making the wine eminently drinkable upon release.

Winemaker's Comments:
The vibrant, crisp Ruby Grapefruit from the Russian River combines with the exotic citrus tones of Mandarin and Blood Oranges from the Napa Valley fruit. The resulting wine is complex yet elegant. The marriage of flavors is like a tropical fruit tart with good acidity and fleshy citrus flavors all over a layer of "creme patissiere." The combination of vineyards and appellations also brings out a wonderful mineral character typical of Sancerre from France. The combination of the tank fermented wine with the barrel fermented wine maintains a great balance in both the nose and mouth between the crisp, exotic tropical citrus fruit and the creamy character of the barrel fermented wines. This is my favorite style of Sauvignon Blanc. You can sip it by itself or match it with a myriad of lighter fare.