SAUVIGNON BLANC LOLONIS VINEYARD
Saracina
APPELLATION
Mendocino County
GRAPE VARIETIES
97% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Sémillon
WINEMAKERS
Alex MacGregor
TECHNICAL DATA
Acidity
3.12
Alcohol
12.5%
92POINTS
92POINTS
Saracina is located along the Upper Russian River in northern California’s wine country. The 400-acre ranch which includes a winery and sustainably farmed vineyards, is also home to a 140-year-old olive trees, vegetable gardens, beehives, and local birds and wildlife. The handcrafted, limited production Saracina wines reflect a conscious sense of this beautiful place in Mendocino County. Founded by husband and wife team John Fetzer and Patty Rock in 2001, Saracina has always been defined by a strong sense of family. In 2018, Marc Taub took on stewardship of Saracina, upholding the spirit of family ownership that has defined this iconic Mendocino County winery since inception.
TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTESThe Lolonis vineyard has some of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines in the country, planted in 1942. The vines are dry-farmed, never irrigated and always organically farmed on the Yokayo series (alluvial loam) soils. The clonal material hails from the finest chateau in Sauternes.
The growing season was marked by very low precipitation, with some of the lowest yields and cluster weights ever recorded. The trade-off, concentration of fruit, was simply astounding. We harvested both the Sauvignon Blanc and a drop of Sémillon on September 27.
The grapes were hand-picked, whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented with native yeast in 3- and 4-year-old Burgundian barrels. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation. Acid levels were brilliantly elevated, and the concentrated berries produced excellent fruit intensity and weight. The juice remained on the lees for four months with just a single batonnage.
TASTING NOTESThis Sauvignon Blanc opens with a saline note, wet stone and citrus aromas. The palate begins with invigorating, green, spring-like notes. With time in the glass, the texture deepens, and the concentration of this amazing vineyard becomes evident.
RESOURCES
Saracina Portfolio
