2004 Selene Sauvignon Bland - Hyde Vineyard
You should know this wine. It's an important showcase for what a nimble hand and great fruit can
produce in Napa. When the world's short attention span flips on to think only a turf-laden green Sauvignon Blanc of the Marlborough style is worth drinking, it's a pleasure to find a wine of this stature that keeps the fruitiness in mind and elevates what is all too often a humble grape to a new level. Some of you will complain that this is too much like a Chardonnay, too rich, too unctuous, too much lees...I say, look beyond that and taste the essence of Sauvignon Blanc in the magic between the layers.
Winemaker Mia Klein made her mark first under the wing of one of my favorite winemakers, Cathy Corison when they were at Chappellet. She is now a consulting winemaker at such cult favorites as Della Valle and Bressler . She has been making her own boutique wines since 1991 and her Sauvignon Blanc in particular has become a very sought-after prize. She has chosen to focus on Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, another abused grape of late. I'll be hunting for some of that next! I found my bottle in the lovely St. Helena Wine Center downtown . She is also a blogger and has started chronicling her days at the end of the winemaking cycle --a fun read.
2004 Selene Sauvignon Blanc- Hyde Vineyard
The hue is a golden straw color, with visible body. The nose shows no signs of grass or butter, and reveals more lime than lemon, gooseberry, and tropical overtones.) The flavor is layered and mouth-filling. Infinitely pleasing.
I served it with a pasta dish I made up: Farfalle with baby artichokes and fresh asiago.
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