2009 Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc

Sonoma County

After playing with a couple tons of fruit from this phenomenal site in 2008 as part of the Cuvee Caritas Bordeaux Blanc blend, I decided to ask owner Dick Keenan for as much fruit as he was willing to give me. If the great muse for the Caritas is Haut-Brion Blanc, the archetypes for this wine are the stony efforts of the late, great, Didier Dagueneau (if you are going to aim for something you might as well aim high!) The rocky, steep, site on the backside of Spring Mountain dramatically reduces the natural vigor of Sauvignon Blanc, and the yields are measly. The resulting fruit is concentrated, perfumed, and singular. In contrast to the 100% new oak employed on the Cuvee Caritas, this wine saw barrel fermentation and lees contact in one, two, and three year old French oak and stainless steel barrels for 6 months to limit the interplay of oak flavor. I am a firm believer that a small amount of oxygen and some lees work can bring forth the natural complexity from such a wonderful site. In order to preserve the wines verve and perfume, ML was inhibited

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 10

($24) Greenish yellow. Pungent aromas of citrus pith, mint and green peppercorn, with a deeper note of vanilla coming out with air. Distinctly wild and spicy on entry, with good density and a distinct pungency to its flavors of green papaya, pear and lemon zest. A suggestion of poached pear gives this intriguing, intense wine a round, deep quality on the finish. Tastes like a cross between New Zealand sauvignon blanc and white Bordeaux; this has real staying power.

91 points

200 cases made

$24 | Sold Out