Producer: Cliff Lede Vineyards - read about the Estate
	
Winemaker: Christopher Tynan
	
Region (AVA): Napa Valley (Napa Valley)
	
Blend: 86% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Sémillon, 2% Sauvignon Vert
	
Vintage production: 8,428 cases
	
Winery location: Stag Leap District
	
Owner: Cliff Lede
	
First vintage: 2004
	
Drinking window: 2018-2021
 
About The Wine:
 
The Sauvignon Blanc is a lively, yet elegant, expression of this varietal in Napa Valley. The primary vineyard source, located in eastern Rutherford, is home to old vines planted to a heritage Musqué clone and Sémillon, providing density, richness, and citrus notes. Two other old-vine vineyards, both in Calistoga, contribute to the blend, one planted to Sauvignon Blanc and the other to Sémillon.
 
In addition, CLV includes grapes from a cooler climate vineyard on the east side of Napa, imparting vibrant acidity and finesse to the wine. A vineyard in Chiles Valley, a small pocket in eastern Napa County, adds complexity with old vines of Sauvignon Vert planted in 1947. The team are pleased to include their first estate grown Sauvignon Blanc from our property in Calistoga, which brings floral notes and mouthwatering acidity the blend.
 
The fruit was hand-harvested in the cool darkness of night and arrived at the winery at dawn. The grapes were then held in controlled conditions of low oxygen and cold temperatures. Approximately three-quarters of the fruit underwent gentle, whole-cluster pressing, and the remainder was destemmed
before spending between six and twelve hours of skin contact prior to pressing.
 
The juice was fermented in 58% French oak barrels, 37% stainless steel tanks, and 5% concrete eggs. All fermentations were conducted at cold temperatures to preserve the freshness of the fruit. Upon reaching dryness, the wine was aged on its lees and underwent daily or weekly battonage.
 
Vintners won’t soon forget the 2017 vintage in Napa Valley. A wet winter provided welcome relief from a prolongeddrought that began with the 2012 vintage. Spring arrived early,bringing with itwarm weather and soaking rainsthat segued to an early budbreak and the development of beautiful canopies.The season trended warmand was punctuated with a series of heatwaves, the most dramatic one over Labor Day weekend. The well-developed canopiesprotected the fruit in the heatand developed beautiful tropical flavors that led to a wine with lively fruit and voluptuous body. CLV began their harvest of Sauvignon Blanc on August 29th and brought in the last white varieties, Sémillon and Sauvignon Vert, by September 13th.