Vintage 2010,
the fifth year of Toquade, also
happened to be one of the most challenging ever for wine growing. Vintages
2006 through 2010 grew in an organic, dry-farmed vineyard in Yountville which
was planted in 1978. This vineyard has the perfect terroir for Sauvignon Blanc. The soil’s water holding capacity and
microclimate are optimal for growing grapes that best express Sauvignon Blanc’s
distinctive flavors.
Vintage 2010 comes after 3 years of significant
drought. The year began with a late spring, much rain and record low
temperatures. Consequently the bud break was late. Then the summer was cold
with foggy mornings. It was the second coldest July in 50 years. No one could forget
a vintage like this one. Due to the humidity, we dealt with mildew and botrytis
episodes on flowers and then on clusters. Veraison
occurred end of July. Mid-August, we
gently opened the canopy through minor leave pulling to allow dappled sunlight
on the grapes. This operation is done to avoid green pea and bell pepper flavor
in the fruit and wine. August 23rd and 24th the
temperature reached 107ºF and the humidity moved from 50% to 16%. This heat
spike was fatal; some other vineyard’s fruit burnt completely. Toquade’s fruits were protected by the
canopy during that heat spike. In September the weather returned to normal and this
allowed the fruit a better chance to ripen.
Toquade was hand-harvested on
September 14th, two weeks later than the previous vintage. At
harvest the grapes were exceptionally tasty, containing notes of passion fruit
and lychee. The flavor inherent to the fruit of this
Sauvignon Blanc was gently extracted in a small winery located in Napa.
The juice was then fermented and aged Sur
Lie in stainless steel barrels for seven months, with weekly stirring to
develop the roundness, palate, and texture. Toquade was bottled during the beginning of May 2011.
Toquade is a pure,
unfined expression of Sauvignon Blanc fruit from a single vineyard in Napa
Valley.
Toquade has grapefruit and
papaya notes, a crisp entrance with creamy mid-pallet, and a long finish that
explodes with exotic fruit. Toquade
can be matched with many foods, including seafood, sushi, bruschetta, various cheeses,
and South East Asian dishes such as curries. Recently I paired it with onion soup
and delighted at the wonderful match. For the goat cheese lover, an aged goat
cheese melted on toasted bread or over a green salad would also pair well.
Production
450 cases
By Haley Schandelmier
|
