January 2007 Wine Tasting Notes:
2005 Ventana Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey, Arroyo Seco.
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This wine is straw colored with light amber hues. The nose is increasingly generous as the wine warms up. Rich citrus, tropical notes, melon and hints of tropical aromas waft out of the glass. Hints of sweet white flowers linger in the background. The mineral palate is dominated by citrus peel. Light gooseberry notes are present. Only minimal grassy elements are noted. The minerality in the context of appropriate acids and measured alcohol levels make for a slightly viscous mouthfeel. A medium length finish consists of tart citrus notes braced by minerality ends on a light nutty note. |
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RWB Score: 88 breakdown 13.5% Alcohol $16.00 Retail (from winery); Total production unknown. |
This 2005 Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and zesty with racy minerality. The rich and broad nose eagerly offers itself unabashedly. The palate is strong and focused if somewhat one-dimensional. Neutral oak aging softens the sharper edges and gives this wine a rounder, fuller feel. Made in a food-friendly style, this wine should pair well with seafood but also lighter Italian and Mediterranean dishes for about 4 more years. |
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More Ventana reviews. More on Arroyo Seco AVA |
Estate grown and bottled, this wine is stainless steel fermented. 50% steel aged and 50% neutral oak aged.
Thought to originate from France’s Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc was first brought to California from Suaternes in the 1880s. It quickly gained popularity and thrived in the Livermore Valley. In 1968 Robert Mondavi changed the style of his Sauvignon Blanc from a sweet to a dry style. To mark the difference, he coined the name “Fumé Blanc”, which is a combination of the names “Pouilly-Fumé”, (a dry Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley) and “Sauvignon Blanc”. Following suit with Mondavi (and on his encouragement), many American producers still use this name with considerable variation. Some examples we have encountered include a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon (a rather common practice in California and in Bordeaux). Even individual producers in the Central Coast produce several distinct styles each year including a late harvest, botrytised dessert style. Today, over 15,000 acres are planted to this variety in California. A robust producer, Sauvignon Blanc tends to become rather neutral if allowed to overproduce. Nonetheless, it is quite distinct even in its most base form. Although some may expect a "cat box" or “cat piss” characteristic to be part of Sauvignon Blanc’s typical flavor profile, it occurs when the grapes are insufficiently ripe. On the other end of the spectrum, melon aromas and flavors come out with increased sun exposure and ripeness. Sauvignon Blanc is also marked by mineral and high acidity, even in late harvest offerings. Uniformly, tart white gooseberry characteristics are present in better examples. Other fruit include grapefruit and lime. Lemon grass is another defining characteristic. Vegetal aromas and flavors described as asparagus, bell pepper and grass.
The 2005 year saw an increase in crops over the preceding years. The year is being compared to the acclaimed 1997 vintage because of a very long and generally cool growing season without heat spikes. This long season resulted in extended hang times in even temperatures which gave the fruit good extraction but lower sugar levels. The slow ripening of the fruit is expected to make for elegance and balance in the wines of this vintage.
Ventana ("window" in Spanish) was founded by Doug Meador in the early 1970s. A former Navy pilot from a family of Washington apple farmers, he became fascinated with cold-climate viticulture while supervising the planting of 2,500 acres of grapes in the Arroyo Seco area of Monterey County. He purchased and planted the current 400 acre property. He became a pioneer and champion of Monterey wine. In September 2006, The Meadors sold the Ventana brand, vineyards, winery and tasting room to a group of local winemakers and grape growers who make up Ventana Vintners, LLC. Doug is still involved with and present at Ventana (which continues his legacy) but is concentrating on his namesake label: Meador as well as other projects.
Ventana Vineyard’s lead winemaker is Reggie Hammond (he retains that position after the recent transfer of ownership). He was brought in by Doug Meador to manage the vineyards, winery operations and to develop Ventana's red wine portfolio while continuing the line up of white wines at the standard of quality Dough had established. He applies a "keep it simple and don't screw it up" approach to achieve the Ventana winemaking philosophy. Ventana aims to craft "European sensibility and an abundance of California fruit" at a good value. This means affordable wines with distinct varietal characteristics. The frame of mind is to be "wine-growers" not grape growers.
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4 points |
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Nose |
4 points |
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Palate |
3 points |
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Finish |
3 points |
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Astringency/Minerality |
4 points |
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Acidity |
5 points |
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Alcohol |
5 points |
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Aging potential |
2 points |
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Overall quality |
8 points |
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