2022 Semillon
Rutherford, Napa Valley
The 2022 Semillon is a completely unique and diverse wine. On the nose, it evokes lemon and lime, white peaches, Satsuma mandarins, snap peas, lemongrass, hay and almond croissant. Its palate is texturally driven, giving round and waxy impressions coupled with sweet tarts, star fruit, white nectarines, yellow pluots, white pineapple, wheat grass and a touch of toasted walnut. Drink now or hold for at least 3-5 years if you can wait…
Winemaker Notes
Whitehall Lane is proud to showcase this extraordinary example of Semillon from our Bommarito Vineyard from Rutherford. Semillon is typically a blender in Bordeaux whites, a powerful dessert wine from the Sauternes region of France, or a singular wine from the Hunter Valley of Australia. Our Semillon was whole cluster pressed, then sent to neutral French oak barrels for a native yeast fermentation. Once the barrel fermentation finishes, we allow the wine to age sur lies (on the lees) and perform battonage (stirring) for five months. The stirring of the barrels promotes mid-palate enhancement and texture building within the wine. At blending, a portion of Sauvignon Blanc was blended back to balance out the Semillon and create a unique palate and finish.
The Vintage
The 2022 vintage was considered a recovery year for the drought year in 2021. The season started off with bud break in early March, leading to a Spring that allowed for a turbulent flowering period that gave high winds, hail, rain, and a cold snap. Surprisingly, the fruit set made it through and provided an average set for the grape clusters. Summer was quite warm and long, leading into an early Autumn harvest season. The semi-drought conditions led to lower yields in the vineyard, which gave a perfect concentration for juice versus skin ratio. The consistent summer weather encouraged our Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to ripen in late mid-August to early-September.
Wine Facts
Winemaker: Jason Moulton
Appellation: Rutherford
Blend: 88% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Semillon
Alcohol: 14.1%
Downloads
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-Download Wine Tasting Notes (pdf)