Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Unlike the prior vintage, 2020 was challenging from the very beginning: low winter rainfall early in the dormancy phase prevented an early bud break despite warm temperatures. The continuing trend in the spring led to hydric stress early in the growing season. However, the Sauvignon planted on deep clay soils and north-facing slopes benefitted from a cooling effect, creating favorable ripening conditions with very cool nights and seasonable temperatures from mid-July to mid-August. We harvested the first Sauvignon Blanc Musque on August 17th and finished with the later ripening block adjacent to the winery on September 1st. This relatively early pick allowed us to capture extraordinary freshness in the wines. The clusters were small and concentrated with an unprecedented level of aromatic intensity, which revealed itself in the depth of our underground cave. The batonnage was performed continuously until December, even during the harrowing week of fires that surrounded our area. The “elevage sur lies” lasted for a year, protecting the flavors, enriching and swathing the wine with creamy and savory components, suggesting a long and glorious bottle life.

Winery: Eisele Vineyard
Appellation: Napa Valley
Average age of vines: N/A
Farming Methods: Organic, Biodynamic
Maturation: Aged on their lees for 12 months, in a combination of stainless steel (28%), concrete eggs (14%), used oak (36%) and new oak (22%)
Soil: Deep clay soils
Varietal: 80% Sauvignon Blanc Musqué, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard Orientation: North-facing slopes
Vineyard Size: N/A

Wine	Scores	Downloads	Reviews
Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2020	93 Wine Advocate The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of nectarines, grapefruit and orange blossoms, plus hints of chalk dust, white pepper and oyster shell, with a gentle waft of beeswax. Medium-bodied, elegant and refreshing, the palate delivers impressive intensity with a backbone of racy acidity and a long, chalky finish. 97 James Suckling Lots of tropical fruit with mango and pineapple character. Ripe pear with some crushed stone. Lavender and green papaya, too. Full-bodied, lightly chewy and phenolic. Structured. Needs time to open, but a fantastic finish. Bitter-lemon and salty notes at the end. Better in 2024.	Bottle Image Label Image Tech Sheet
Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022	98 James Suckling So much complex pear blossom, peaches, Meyer lemon, pineapple and snap peas. Full bodied with a layered, phenolic texture and a tangy and vivid finish. Some flint at the end. 3.3 pH. Really zesty. Grows in the glass. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. 93 Wine Advocate The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc spent 12 months on the lees in a mix of stainless steel eggs (23%), concrete eggs (12%), used oak barrels (33%) and new oak barrels (32%). A hint of pencil shavings accents the aromas of grapefruit, gooseberries and nectarines on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate is plump and slightly creamy, culminating in a long, mouthwatering finish.	Bottle Image Label Image Tech Sheet