2011 Spettro Proprietary White, Napa Valley
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Wine Specs
Vintage
2011
Varietal
White Blend
Appellation
Napa Valley
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Harmonious! That is how we describe the 2011 Spettro blend. It is in full balance beginning with a perfume of tropical citrus, vanilla, a hint or orange blossom and some subtlety of round river stone for curiosity. The palate is bright and refreshing. The Sauvignon Blanc in the blend contributes acid and minerality while the next most dominant component is the Chardonnay that brings in beautiful, citrus and tropical fruit cocktail notes. Viognier, Albarino and Vermentino each lend a variety of added complexity in structure and minerality. The palate finishes very clean and fresh, inviting you in for another taste.
The word “spettro” translated means “spirit” and it is in the spirit of constant experimentation with blending varietals that this wine is aptly named. Now in its 9th year since inception, the Spettro program continues to flourish. Never in its history have we seen so many varietals come together. This is very exciting to witness as they each meld so harmoniously in the blend. What is more exciting from a winemaking standpoint is that this mélange is loaded with varietals with which we love to experiment. While it is not so practical to have 5 stand alone white wines in our lineup, I sure love the making of each and witnessing the potential unravel as each of them unifies into an eclectic and very enjoyable wine.
Vineyard Notes
Harvest took place during the month of September, 2011, from the 5th to the 30th. The Chardonnay fruit is sourced from the tightly spaced, Maldonado Vineyard containing it’s Dijon Clones in the very cool and marine influenced Napa-Carneros appellation. The Sauvignon Blanc component is sourced from the old-vine Yountmill Vineyard in Yountville. Our Viognier is harvested from the Usibelli Vineyard in Pope Valley where the warm days and cool evenings ripens the skin of this Rhone Valley varietal to perfection. The Vermentino and Albarino were farmed and harvested from the steep Mahoney Vineyard, also located in the Napa-Carneros appellation. 2011 will be known in history as a “wet” year that was naturally thinned by “shatter,” or the lack of flowers to set on the cluster. While not so favorable for grower’s returns, this phenomenon often creates an optimal fruit balance by lowering yields in the vineyard.
Production Notes
The grapes are all hand harvested very cool in the early morning, then whole cluster pressed and the juice settled in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation of each varietal is separate and started in stainless steel and all but the Sauvignon Blanc is put to neutral, French Oak casks to finish fermentation. The Sauvignon Blanc will go down to barrel after a slow, month-long alcoholic fermentation. The wines are sur-lies aged for 8 months until bottling. Batonage, or the gentle stirring of the spent and settled yeast cells is employed in the early stages of ageing to further develop richness, soft texture and length of body in the mid-palate. The varietals were blended just prior to bottling. This wine sees no malolactic fermentation to keep the flavors up front and fresh as possible.
Winemaker Notes
48% Sauvignon Blanc; 36% Chardonnay, 13% Viognier, 8% Vermentino, 5% Albarino
0.66 g/100mL T.A., 3.50 pH, 14.5% Alc. Bottled March 28, 2012. 925 Cases Produced