2012 Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting Notes

An elegant, fragrant Sauvignon Blanc offering delicious aromas of honey and fresh melon. Generous, bright acidity on the palate, with vibrant notes of tropical fruit and citrus that linger on the finish.

-Mike Januik, Winemaker

Vintage

The 2013 Columbia Valley growing season was the warmest vintage in ten years, producing ripe, aromatic wines that benefitted from extended hang-time thanks to a cooler than usual September. Bud break was early, followed by dry, warm weather that lasted until a lengthy rainstorm crossed the state in mid-June. Because of the precipitation, the vines established a solid canopy that protected the grapes from high temperatures that persisted through July and August. Harvest started early, but cool September temperatures slowed ripening considerably. By October, the Columbia Valley’s typical warm fall weather pattern returned and the grapes finish ripening beautifully to produce delicious, balanced wines with excellent acidity.

Vineyard

Washington wine critic Paul Gregutt named Stillwater Creek one of Washington’sTop 20 vineyards, in part because of the site’s outstanding Sauvignon Blanc. With the goal of growing world class wine grapes through careful vineyard management and innovative clonal selection, this steep, south-facing estate vineyard on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills is gaining a growing following

Winemaking

Barrel fermented in a combination of new and one-year-old French oak Sur lie aged seven months for richness and a creamy texture Blended with Semillon for added complexity and length on the finish