High Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2017
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Enthusiast
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Wong
Wilfred
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Wine Enthusiast
This well-balanced wine from high-elevation Lake County has everything in the right proportions: fresh herb and citrus aromas, lip-smacking, crisp fruit flavors, a generous texture and lingering finish.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Few AVAs in California are better at Sauvignon Blancs than High Valley in Lake County, and the 2017 High Valley Vineyard shows the level of excellence that I have accustomed to seeing. TASTING NOTES: This wine is bright a bright and lively effort showing tart citrus, racy minerality, and ripe melon aromas and flavors. Pair its rich and crisp finish with steamed mussels. (Tasted: April 18, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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2021-
Enthusiast
Wine
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Enthusiast
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Wong
Wilfred
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Wong
Wilfred
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Wong
Wilfred -
Enthusiast
Wine
The vineyards hug the mountain rims along the south-east edge of High Valley AVA. Surrounded by dramatic landscapes and pristine wilderness, the story of High Valley is clearly visible from our property. At 2,200 feet, on top of the Terre Vermeille vineyard look to your south, you'll see the deep blue waters of Clear Lake, that provide cooling winds throughout our long summer days. Turn to the west, and you can distinguish where the lava flows give way to the alluvial fan of the ancient lake bed on the valley floor. And from the north, and you can feel the cold night winds from Snow Mountain and the peaks of the Mendocino National Forest.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Sitting on the northeast side of the Clear Lake appellation, this warm area boasts multiple soil types that allow growers a lot of flexibility and experimentation with grape varieties. While Sauvignon blanc is a mainstay, this zone excels with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, as well as other less common varieties like Barbera and Tempranillo.