2006 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

According to Bart Araujo, changes in vine structure aimed at getting more uniform sun exposure on the grapes, as well as biodynamic practices at the estate, are now making it possible to get optimal phenolic maturity at lower sugar levels than previously. The result has been a terrific back-to-back set of flagship wines in vintages 2005 and 2006. Winemaker Francoise Peschon noted that crop levels were down 40% here in 2006 from the previous year, despite a good fruit set, as the berries were very small. But the 2005 is a beauty from day one, with more floral lift than would seem possible from this very warm site just south of the town of Calistoga.