Snowden Vineyards
2009 Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley
Auction 14 | Lot No. 184
Vintage: 2009
Snowden Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Description
This is the first Sauvignon Blanc to come from the Snowden Ranch. The parcel is planted on the easternmost corner of the ranch overlooking Lake Hennessey at an altitude of 800 feet In 2009, we made one barrel total, to be shared between the bidder at Premiere Napa Valley and the Snowden family. The wine was fermented by native yeast in one "experienced" white wine barrel. It will be bottled unfiltered. We are delighted with this first vintage. It is a bright, pure Sauvignon Blanc, to be enjoyed from release through the following two years.
Aging Process
The wine was raised one year on its lees in one "experienced" white wine barrel.
Wine Facts
- pH: 3.18
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Tasting Chart
| bone dry |
|
very sweet |
| light body |
|
very full bodied |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins |
|
heavy tannins |
 |
Diana Snowden Seysses
Winemaker, Snowden Vineyards
Diana graduated from the viticulture and enology program at the University of California at Davis in 2001. During and after her studies, she worked at wineries in California and France, including Robert Mondavi Winery, Mumm Napa Valley, the Araujo Estate, Fleur de Bouard, Domaine Leflaive and Ramey Wine Cellars. Diana became oenologist at Domain Dujac in Burgundy in 2003 and winemaker at Snowden commencing with the 2005 harvest. Since then has divided her professional time between California and Burgundy.
Country born: United States
Education: Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology, University of California at Davis, 2001
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
The most moving and memorable wines express the place from which they come. My goal as a winemaker is to allow the site to speak. I try to exercise the self-restraint to allow nature to do what it will, to create the environments that let desired characteristics evolve naturally, to recognize the signs that require intervention, and to make intervention the exception rather than the rule.
Q&A With the Winemaker
Q: Premiere Napa Valley wines are innovative and allow each winery to showcase the region's sense of exploration in fine winemaking. What kind of exploration did your Premiere Napa Valley wine allow you to do?
A: We have been eagerly awaiting the first fruit from this one-acre plot. I couldn't be happier with the results; this wine makes statements, it has distinctive varietal character and mountain-side minerality.
Q: What was your inspiration for this offering?
A: Since this is the first vintage from what is already a small plot, it truly is a rare wine. The remainder of the barrel will never go farther than the Snowden family dinning room. The lucky bidder truly has a rarity!
Q: Fill in the blanks: I chose to make this wine from this particular ______________ because ______________.
A: I chose to make this wine from this particular varietal because we have a mountain-side site which we suspected would be well adapted to Sauvignon Blanc. The site stays cool enough to allow the fruit to ripen slowly, developing its natural joyous exuberance of exotic fruit, while remaining fresh.
Q: Why should a wine lover have a bottle of this wine in their cellar?
A: This wine is the perfect beginning of a special meal. It is crisp and aromatic, with enough character to be intellectually stimulating. It is lovely on its own, or with shell fish, asparagus, or goat cheese salad.
The Wine House
2311 Cotner Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90064
310-479-3731
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palazzo Wine | 2016 | Cabernet Franc | Los Carneros | Midnight Angel | 22 |
| Somerston Estate | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Block 95 | 21 |
| Continuum Estate | 2014 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 20 | |
| Lang & Reed Wine Company | 2015 | Chenin Blanc | Napa Valley | Lost but Found | 20 |
| Long Meadow Ranch | 2014 | Merlot | Rutherford | Rutherford Estate | 20 |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 1990 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | J. Schram Late Disgorged | 20 |
| Casa Nuestra Winery and Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | 19 | |
| Continuum Estate | 2013 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Proprietary Blend | 19 |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Backus Vineyard | 19 |
| Leto Cellars | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | The Elder | 19 |
| Oakville East Exposure | 2013 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | MAJEK | 19 |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Summit Select | 19 |
| PureCru Napa Valley | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Newest Secret | 19 |
| Saintsbury | 2014 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch | 19 |
| Courtesan | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Veronica | 18 |
| Merus | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Bennett Vineyard | 18 |
| Pahlmeyer | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 | |
| Scarecrow Wine | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Toto's Opium Dream: Scene III | 18 |
| Somerston Estate | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Blend | 18 |
| Arrow&Branch | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 17 | |
| Artesa Vineyards & Winery | 2012 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Estate | 17 |
| Bouchaine Vineyards | 2012 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Auction Select Best Barrel | 17 |
| BRAND Napa Valley | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Debut | 17 |
| Derenoncourt California | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Las Posadas | 17 |
| Foley Johnson | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 17 | |
| Hewitt Vineyard & Provenance Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Sleeping Lady | 17 |
| Keenan Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Waited So Long | 17 |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Tench Vineyard | 17 |
| Robert Craig Winery | 2011 | Red Wine | Mount Veeder | Pym Rae | 17 |
| Saint Helena Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 17 | |
| Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Ignem et Aquam | 17 |
| Turnbull Wine Cellars | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Le Corbeau | 17 |
| Arkenstone Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Franc | Howell Mountain | 16 | |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Home Vineyard | 16 |
| Clos Du Val | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Joie Du Vin | 16 |
| Dana Estates | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 16 | |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2011 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | Paris Tasting Commemorative | 16 |
| Groth Vineyards & Winery | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Sweet Spot | 16 |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 16 | |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 254 Series | 16 |
| Peacock Family Vineyard | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | The Shire | 16 |
| Provenance Vineyards | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 16 | |
| Clark-Claudon Vineyards | 2009 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | Briana's Song | 15 |
| Far Niente | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Martin Stelling Vineyard | 15 |
| Lang & Reed Wine Company | 2009 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Last Stand | 15 |
| Long Meadow Ranch Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | F Block Reserve | 15 |
| Maroon Wines | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Maroon Vineyard | 15 |
| ROY Estate | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Voix Basse (a whisper) | 15 |
| Shafer Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 15 |
| Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 15 | |
| Tres Sabores | 2009 | Petite Sirah | Calistoga | 15 | |
| Chateau Montelena Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Montelena Estate G Block Old Vine Finale | 14 |
| Frog's Leap | 2008 | Petite Sirah | Rutherford | Galleron Vineyard | 14 |
| Groth Vineyards & Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Core Blend | 14 |
| Page Wine Cellars | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Your Personal Stash | 14 |
| Snowden Vineyards | 2009 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | 14 | |
| Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Alchemist | 14 |
| Stags’ Leap Winery | 2008 | Petite Sirah | Stags Leap District | Ne Cede Malis Estate-Grown Field Blend | 14 |
| White Rock Vineyards | 2008 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 14 | |
| Buehler Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Kindly Well | 13 |
| Clos Du Val | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 13 | |
| Conn Creek Winery | 2006 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | The Finale | 13 |
| Continuum Estate | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | PNV Proprietary Blend | 13 |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon | 13 |
| Hewitt Vineyard | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 13 | |
| Kuleto Estate | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | La Concha | 13 |
| Lang and Reed Wine Company | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Dubious Duo | 13 |
| Nickel and Nickel | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | State Lane Vineyard | 13 |
| Robert Mondavi Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | T Block | 13 |
| Wolf Family Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 13 | |
| Bouchaine Vineyards | 2007 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Auction Select/Best Barrel | 12 |
| Cain Vineyard and Winery | 2006 | Red Wine | Spring Mountain District | François’ Pick | 12 |
| Cardinale | 2006 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 12 | |
| Corison Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Reserve | 12 |
| Groth Vineyards and Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | OX | 12 |
| Lang and Reed Wine Company | 2007 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Expression 214 | 12 |
| Mount Veeder Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 12 | |
| Reverie on Diamond Mountain | 2007 | Malbec | Diamond Mountain District | The First Harvest | 12 |
| Silver Oak Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Ernie’s Pretty Girl | 12 |
| Spelletich Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | True Reserve | 12 |
| ZD Wines | Non-vintage | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Petit Abacus | 12 |
| Brown Estate Vineyards | 2004 | 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Zinfandel | Napa Valley | 10 | |
| Provenance Vineyards | 2005 | 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 10 | |
| Sequoia Grove Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Morisoli Vineyard | 10 |
| Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2004 | Cabernet Franc | Spring Mountain District | Cabernet Franc-Oh!-Phile | 10 |
| Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 9 | |
| Veraison | 2004 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 9 | |
| Chateau Montelena Winery | 2002 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | The Montelena Estate | 8 |
| Trefethen Family Vineyards | 2001 | Red Table Wine | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Oak Knoll Five | 7 |
| Cain Vineyard and Winery | 2000 | Syrah | Spring Mountain District | 6 | |
| Livingston Moffett Wines, LLC | 2000 | Merlot | Yountville | Gemstone Vineyard | 6 |
| Robert Craig Winery | 2000 | Cabernet Franc | Mount Veeder | 6 |
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