(click for larger image)
We’ve written about these folks quite a bit over the years. About a week ago we got our wine club shipment. The pinots can wait but the lure of the Belden Barns 2017 sauvigvnon blanc ($26) proved irresistable.
And we were not disappointed. Aromas of honey and tangerine with just hint of grassiness lead to a palate of pineapple and honeydew melon. The finish is long and multi-layered moving into a touch of wet slate. This is a major bargain.
The Beldens planted a unique clone of sauvignon blanc. Nate describes it as “the pedigreed vine material originally sourced from Collio, Italy near the Slovenian border.” We are pretty sure the terroir is a contributing factor. Sonoma Mountain is rocky with an interesting soil structure. They benefit from being directly aligned with the Sonoma wind gap. Days are cool and foggy, something very unique for properties east of highway 101 in Santa Rosa.
Buy this wine and try it. Unless, of course, you are a fan of the grassy, vegetal sauv blancs. In that case, this is not for you.
Nate in the barn (click for larger image)
