Livermore Valley Winegroweres Association
2024 Culmination Sauvignon Blanc Aged in Barrel – What is Beyond Perfection?
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Last year the Wood Family Vineyards produced their inaugural release of barrel aged Sauvignon Blanc. They have continued to do so again this year and have elevated this release to their second or premier label called Culmination. This is now the third wine being offered in the series.
The Wine – “Wine if bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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.
This is like no ordinary Sauvignon Blanc I have experienced in my wine life! I heaped praises on it last year (https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/04/24/2023-wood-family-vineyards-sauvignon-blanc-a-new-offering/), only to have the wine elevated even further with this 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 to be second fiddle in the tasting profile. 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.
The alcohol level is 14% and the price for this is $50/bottle, which is a bit higher than your average Suavignon Blanc, but this is anything but ordinary! Set to be released mid-June, this will surely sell out quickly for its flavor profile and uniqueness with only 75 cases produced.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine will make my annual Best Wines Tasted in 2025 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
The food pairing was also a bit unique with two entrées last evening. First up was sushi from a new store of both tuna and salmon. Both were very good. I have always had a glass of wine with sushi or sashimi to help kill off any bacteria (told so from many friends in Japan or sake). Only had one small portion with the sushi as wasabi, ginger and soy sauce would be too much to either be complimentary or too contrasting.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
However, the second entrée was a great summertime pasta salad. It was comprised of bow tie pasta, Northern Italian dressing, freshly cooked pepper bacon, fresh spinach, black pepper, Himalayan Sea salt, cherry tomatoes and onion. Chicken breasts were cut into small pieces and cooked on the stovetop with mesquite seasoning. They were combined and served. This wine caressed each morsel and bit of the salad and enlivened the meal perfectly. An excellent food and wine pairing.
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
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