Tags

, , , , , , ,

Gary Farrell Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Redwood Ranch Sonoma County

Gary Farrell Vineyards is making their passion for wine happen with their meticulous hands on style of vineyard care & winemaking. They are true Russian River Pioneers located in the Alexander Valley and they have many awards to prove it. As they are very well known for their Pinot Noir’s and Chardonnays….they do not put anything less into their prideful Sauvignon Blanc.

The Redwood Ranch Sauvignon Blanc juice is fermented in steel tanks, at very cold temperatures. This allows the preservation of fruitiness in the finished wine. When the fermentation nears completion, about twenty percent of the juice is cold-transferred to new, French oak barrels for the remainder of fermentation. This process provides richness and fullness to the wine, while keeping the clean, crisp varietal notes we all know in the Sauvignon Blanc grape. It’s a very noticeable difference in body and structure compared to many other Sauv Blancs I have tried. Very much “Old World” style.

The Gary Farrell Sauvignon Blanc pours a very light straw color with a ever so slight bubbly effervescence in the glass. The nose lends fruit forwardness of pear and banana with a hint of citrus (lime and grapefruit). The taste is also similar. Very dry and crisp. Good balance of acidity with a plump, medium body. Tasting notes from winemaker mention this 2010 vintage really reflecting the terroir. VERY true with this Sauvignon Blanc. A mineral or rock taste is largely present on the finish. The finish is long and has a slight hint of vanilla from the oak barreling. Overall an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc.

I paired the Sauvignon Blanc with my Grilled Lemon Chicken Piard topped with chopped fresh tomato/arugula salad dressed with olive oil. Worked wonderfully! Very balanced taste of the citrus crispness from the wine with the grill smokiness and the slight pepper from arugula.

I have not had the luxury of visiting Gary Farrell Vineyards and hope that I do soon. They sit atop a hillside in Alexander Valley that has remarkable views and frequent morning fog that will take your breath away in beauty. If the Sauvignon Blanc is this good, imagine the possibilities of the PN and Chards! I give this 2010 Redwood Ranch Sauv Blanc THREE BOTTLES. The wine prices from $21.99 to the $25.00 range and is available direct from the winery at http://www.garyfarrellwinery.com. This wine is on a “Grand Scale” as Sauvignon Blancs go and I would buy it to have for guests or special occasions as well as those few times I really crave an “Old World” Sauvignon Blanc. I do not drink Sauvignon Blancs on a daily; weekly basis, therefore that is why I do not give it a Four Bottle rating for case worthiness. But if I did or if YOU DO….then this one is your baby!!!!

2010 Gary Farrell Sauvignon Blanc Redwood Ranch Sonoma County….it’s the “cool” Sauvignon Blanc on the Russian River block and a wine making team with gung-ho initiative – Bordeaux Style! It’s a “Grape” wine…. Give it a try!

Cheers!

** Sample received courtesy of Folsom & Associates for review purposes **