Tasting 2004 Ojai Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

 

OJAI VINEYARDS 2004 SAUVIGNON BLANC WESTERLY VINYARD – SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

 

  Sauvignon Blanc has long languished in the shadow of California Chardonnay but to me, this is a fantastic Summer refresher.  Despite being around since the ’60′s as a production wine the varietal has only been a go to white wine for the past few years.  Further evidence of its rise to the mainstream is the cover article in the August 2009 Wine Spectator.

  We tasted the Ojai Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and were pleasantly surprised.  This is a single Vineyard wine from Ojai’s Westerly Vineyard on the Central Coast of California.  Ojai only produces about 6000 cases, divided between 15 bottling’s.

  The wine is Crisp and clean, highly aromatic.  You would expect grapefruit and this Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t disappoint.  Alongside the grapefruit is hints of mango and a solid peach finish.  Mineral notes are present throughout. 

  In the Winemakers words; "
To avoid mucking up this distinctive fruit, I try to take a delicate approach in the wine making. The wine is barrel fermented in older barrels that do not impart oak flavors, and the malo-lactic fermentation is blocked, keeping the wine fresh and zesty."

  The result is a wonderful, refreshing, crisp and clean summertime "Must Have".  Try the Ojai Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and leave us a note about what you find.

 

Until next time . . . . .

 . . . . Cheers!