2025 Culmination Sauvignon Blanc – Barrel Aged, You Will Shout About It From The Mountain Tops
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
This is the third year that Wood Family Vineyards has produced barrel aged Sauvignon Blanc. They have have elevated this release to their second or premier label called Culmination. This is now the fourth wine being offered in the series.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
The grapes come from the historic Louis Mel Ranch that was established in 1884. Mrs. Mel was friends with the Marquise of Chateau d’ Yquem and was able to secure cuttings from there. This will be the second release of Rhonda Wood’s Sauvignon Blanc aged in barrel. The wine is fermented in three barrels with one being an Acacia barrel aged for 7 months. The other two barrels were aged in neutral French oak. They were kept separate until tanked for bottling and aged on the lees and stirred every two weeks.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is like no ordinary Sauvignon Blanc I have experienced in my wine life! I heaped praise on it last year only to have the wine elevated even further with the 2025 release!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes this is a deeper golden color than ordinary stainless steel fermented wine with a much thicker viscosity, noticeable in the glass. On the nose dominate aromas of honeysuckle and lemon grass waft gently into the senses arousing the imbiber to take the first sip of this exotic elixir. Once on the palate, bright and lively flavors burst forth of lemon and lime, but not like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, much more subdued and yet energetic and content still providing lively and restrained flavors. Lemon custard and tropical passion fruit, along with stone fruits of peach and apricot, softly coat the mouth. On the palate the intriguing and unique textural feel in the mouth was astonishing. Finally, concluding the sipping experience, the acidity is counterbalanced by a brioche note, making for a mildly tart, yet graceful finish, possessing finesse to produce an enjoyable drink. Mellow and flavorful cantaloupe taste was noted on the finish. This is a heavenly richer, full-bodied oak influence with creamy texture.
The alcohol level is 14.5% and the price for this is $50/bottle, which is a bit higher than your average Sauvignon Blanc, but this is anything but ordinary! Set to be released early October, this will surely sell out quickly for its flavor profile and uniqueness with only 6 barrels being produced. The wine was aged in 14% new Acacia barrels, 14% neutral Acacia barrels and 72% in neutral French barrels.
This wine will make my annual Best Wines Tasted in 2026 due to its unique and mouth filling presence and flavors. In my opinion, following Wood Family Vineyards for 25 years, this may be the best wine Rhonda Wood has produced across the lineup, and she has won a tremendous number of awards!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this wine to pair this evening with a baked Italian chicken rollatini. It is baked breaded fileted chicken filled with prosciutto and smoked provolone cheese. Ingredients included kosher salt, black pepper, EVOO, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, provolone cheese, prosciutto and butter. Accompanied by steamed broccoli and sweet yellow and white corn. The bright acidity and citrusy herbal notes of Sauvignon Blanc cut right through the rich, sweet, and buttery flavors of corn, making it a delicious and refreshing match.
The Winery
Photo from Wood Family Vineyards website
Wood Family Vineyards, located in eastern Livermore Valley with Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker, has been producing award winning wines for over two decades. You can read more on her background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at the link below and their website.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com