Beringer Vineyards Alluvium Blanc 2005
Region: Knights Valley, California
Winery: Beringer Vineyards
Variety: Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier

WINEMAKER'S NOTES"The proprietary Alluvium name pays homage to the alluvial soils of Knights Valley and, as a blend enables Ed and I to select the best blend of white varietals from vintage to vintage. For the 2005 Alluvium Blanc bright citrus and apricot aromas lead into a mouthcoating creaminess with smokey, toasty and honey hints. This wine reminds me of a French apple galette with just a touch of sweetness." -Laurie Hook, Winemaker
THE VINEYARDSLocated 17 miles northwest of the winery, this vineyard has volcanic, well-drained soils that are perfectly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The Knights Valley designation was first used on a Beringer label in 1974. By 1983, this area had won official recognition as a premier wine growing region in the form of its own American Viticulture Area (AVA) designation. Today, Winemaster Ed Sbragia and Winemaker Laurie Hook use these wonderful grapes to craft our renowned Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Alluvium Blanc and Alluvium Red.
WINEMAKINGThe 2005 Alluvium Blanc is predominantly Sauvignon Blanc (51 percent) and Semillon (39 percent) with small amounts of Chardonnay (7 percent) and Viognier (2 percent). 100 percent of the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon lots were barrel fermented in French Nevers oak and stirred on the lees twice a month during barrel aging because Ed and Laurie wanted a round, lush mouthfeel in the wine and vanilla, nutty, toasty oak aromas and flavors. The majority of the wine was aged in new and once used French oak (1/3 new) in an effort to create a good balance between the fruit flavors and oak nuances. The wines underwent malolactic fermentation (90 percent) to bring a creaminess that balances the crisp acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc. After nine months aging, Ed and Laurie blended in the Chardonnay to add structure lushness, along with Viognier to enhance the honeysuckle aromas.
ACCOLADES2005 Knights Valley Alluvium BlancRATED 90 - Wine Advocate "A barrel-fermented blend that represents terrific value and mimics a top white Graves. This honeyed effort possesses crisp acidity as well as loads of melon, fig, and waxy lanolin characteristics. It can be enjoyed over the next year." December 26, 2006
ALCOHOL:14.1%RES. SUGAR: 0.07 g/100mlACIDITY: 0.60 g/100mlpH: 3.35

Posted by thewinery on December 1st, 2007 at 9:51am | report comment

Beringer Vineyards Alluvium Blanc 2005
Region: Knights Valley, California
Winery: Beringer Vineyards
Variety: Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier

Color: Light canary yellow

Nose: Quite good with great floral notes from the Viognier and Semillion, but with good tropical and white fruit from the Sauv and Chard.

Palate: Very smooth, just touching on full-bodied fun, all of that fruit comes to the fore, but balanced with good acidity, almost racy. Love it.

Posted by drxeno on December 19th, 2007 at 8:15pm | report comment