2022 Burning Daylight Sauvignon Blanc
93 pts, The Wine Independent | 92 pts, James Suckling
Sauvignon Blanc grows exceptionally well at Bell Mountain where we use two distinct rootstocks and clones to create variety and flavor in our wines. Grapes are harvested over a period of two weeks to allow ripening for different levels of acidity and sugar, creating more flavors. The experimentation continues in the winery where the wine is placed into a mix of new and neutral acacia and oak barrels after fermentation to impart additional flavors while allowing for a longer maturation period. All of these factors combined to create an exceptionally aromatic, rich, and balanced wine with an array of flavors bursting from the glass.
The 2022 Burning Daylight is full of enticing aromas of ripe white peach, exotic lychee, with zesty notes of lemon peel and passionfruit intermingled with delicate white flower and honeysuckle. The first sip showcases a palate of incredible sun ripened peaches alongside a tropical intensity of mango and guava. Velvety rich lemon custard is balanced with flavors of crisp green apples, freshly squeezed limes and juicy Asian pear. A complex and luxurious Sauvignon Blanc ideally paired with your favorite summer seafood dishes, salads and Asian cuisine.
Vintage
The 2022 vintage hit records in so many ways. We had several rounds of severe frost including in areas where we normally don’t see frost. We had our latest frost on record during the middle of May which caused a significant crop loss. Nevertheless, we had high hopes for the vintage as we got closer to fall. During September we endured a record heat wave in which we had more than 8 days above 100 degrees with one day topping out at 119 degrees. Thankfully our canopies faired this weather well. 2022 is overdelivering on aromatic intensity, full flavor, and gentle tannins. Everything ripened a little earlier and we finished off the season with the smallest and earliest harvest on record, though we think perhaps some of the tastiest.