After a tenitive start with a dispute over grapes in Lake County in early November, 2004 would turn out to be a stellar vintage for Topaz. With the weather and supply and demand playing into my hand, I would pick eight times in six vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Lake Counties ending on Dec 4th. My biggest effort yet! Napa Valley contributes 25% of the blend with Semillon from two vineyards outside Calistoga. Lake County supplies 20% of the Semillon and all the Sauvignon Blanc (35%). Alexander Valley kicked in with 20 % of the Semillon. All the grapes had come under the heavy incantation of Botrytis. The juice averaged
37° plus Brix. All the lots were barrel-fermented separately (35% new oak) then blended in the summer of 2005 and bottled in April of 2006.
 
The finished wine has 12.2 % residual sugar, 7.7 grams per liter of acidity, 3.75 pH, and 14.6 % alcohol.
 
The flavors and aromas are reminiscent of peach, pear and fig cobbler complete with a toasty crust and scoop of vanilla/ginger ice cream that leaves the palate fresh and bright.
 
Enjoy!
 
550- 12/375 cases produced
25- 12/750