2009 SAUVIGNON BLANC
THE WINE
The blending of grapes sourced from neighboring appellations gives this wine exceptional balance and complexity. The Napa fruit brings a raciness and a bright character that beautifully complements the rich mouthfeel and tropical fruit of the Sonoma grapes, which are the core of the blend, while the Mendocino fruit adds complexity and citrus notes.
| VARIETAL | APPELLATION | VINTAGE NOTES |
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| 50% | Sonoma | A nearly ideal season without frost or heat spikes produced perfectly ripe fruit. |
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| 32% | Napa | A dry spring and moderate temperatures combined to produce smaller, more flavorful berries. |
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18% | Mendocino | A rainy spring produced bigger clusters which ripened fully with the help of a heat wave just before harvest. |
THE WINEMAKING
This wine was sorted with an intensive process of cluster selection in the vineyard, then quickly pressed while the grapes were still cool to retain delicate fruit flavors. The juice underwent a long, cool fermentation in stainless tanks, never seeing oak, to maintain a fresh character. The finished wine was kept on the lees and stirred weekly to add body and complexity before being bottled.
THE FLAVOR PROFILE
This moutwatering wine balances bright acidity with a creamy
mouthfeel, produced by its time on the lees, for an intense, yet
refreshing profile. Juicy and expansive, notes of ruby grapefruit,
guava and pomelo flavors explode over the palate, expressing
hints of richer honeysuckle and pineapple throughout a finish
that just doesn’t stop.
ACCOLADES
- Dan Berger's Wine of the Week, The Press Democrat, September 2010: "Mild dried herb and tea notes and a soft but dry entry... A delicate, non-grassy version of sauvignon blanc that’s fresh and clean."
- YumSugar Happy Hour, June 2010: "... one of the best whites I've sipped in a while. It's a refreshing, clean wine with a rich body and tropical fruit aroma... it's an affordable bottle that's so wonderful, I would recommend it as a hostess gift."
- Matt Kramer, Oregon Wine Columnist, January 2010: "This is a substantial wine of real depth that's buoyed by a just-right acidity and bright, precise flavor definition... a deal for the quality."
- About.com Thanksgiving Wine Pick, November 2009: "A fool-proof wine to feature center stage..."
- Quarterly Review of Wines, Autumn 2011: "ForeFront is challenging the boundaries of traditional sourcing, then blending to achieve the thoroughly modern style of quality, flavor and price... (The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc) highlights aromas and flavors of grapefruit, lime and white peach with hints of yellow melon. Bright, crisp acidity with extended finish. Try with fresh oysters and a splash of lemon juice."