2012 Sauvignon Blanc Aurora Point

This range of wines from Stonestreet and winemaker Graham Weerts is among the most impressive I tasted. Each and every wine is distinctive, from the aromatic whites to the Chardonnays to the Cabernets. The Chardonnays all emerge from parcels planted with various Wente selections and show the rich texture typically associated with that clone, but balanced by the minerality that is typical of mountain sites that range from 1,000 to 1,800 feet in elevation. The Chardonnays are fermented with native yeasts and spend about 10 months in oak. Stonestreet's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignons are equally of note. Here, too, elevation was critical in a vintage that was so challenging elsewhere.