2021 Lail Vineyards 'Georgia 20th Anniversary' Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Georgia Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is medium straw in color. Dynamic and spirited, the aromas burst forth with citrus, honeyed flowers and stone fruit notes. The flavors include apricot, lemon, minty herbs and coconut. There are the hallmark Georgia expressions of minerality, white truffle and toasted brioche filling out the zingy and energetic finish. This will impress early and for many years to come.
It’s not hard to figure out why Robin Daniel Lail is making some of the most elite wines in the Napa Valley. She’s had some time to prepare. Not only did she grow up looking over her father John Daniel’s shoulder in Inglenook Winery in Rutherford, she worked for Robert Mondavi for 5 years, then in 1982, she co-founded Dominus with Christian Moueix, and in 1983, co-founded Merryvale Vineyards with Bill Harlan, where she served as President for ten years. She founded Lail in 1995. We call that a track record. Lail’s winemaker is Philippe Melka, one of the finest winemakers in our little sylvan valley, not to mention the world. He’s worked for Lail since the beginning, not to mention Dominus Estate in Rutherford and Château Petrus in Pomerol. Not exactly a lightweight, as they say.
Wine Advocate
Consistently one of Napa Valley's finest Sauvignon Blancs since it was first produced in 2002, the trend over time has been to use barrels that have less impact and less new oak overall. The 2021 Georgia Sauvignon Blanc comes from a single three-acre, dry-farmed parcel of vines planted as Merlot in 1988 and grafted over to Sauvignon Blanc in 2006 and 2007. It's part of the same property originally planted by George Yount in 1839, the first grapes planted in Napa Valley. All barrel fermented and kept on lees for 18 months, it's a profoundly concentrated style, boasting scents of toasted oak, pear, peach, guava and pineapple on the nose. In the mouth, this medium to full-bodied wine is plush, round and expansive yet balanced, being fresh, zesty and long on the finish.
James Suckling
Aromas of Meyer lemons, sliced pears and green kiwis followed by fresh nettles and tarragon with flint and matchbox mineralities. Medium-bodied with beautiful crisp acidity. Outstanding quality with remarkable vibrancy and freshness. Very precise.