2022 Anthem Riverbound Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Anthem Winery and Vineyards was established in 2009 by Justin and Julie Arbuckle to produce small-batch, ultra-premium wine. Jeff Ames is winemaker and John Truchard is vineyard manager. Both have respected track records in Napa Valley. Ames worked as assistant to star winemaker Thomas Brown on projects for Schrader, Maybach and Tor. In 2003 he became head winemaker at Tor. Truchard is a second-generation Napa Valley vineyard developer and manager. He manages 25 vineyards. Anthem’s debut release was the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder. Anthem in 2010 produced Cabernet Sauvignon from prestigious Beckstoffer Vineyard fruit, and produced a Mt. Veeder Merlot. The wines have earned ratings in the mid-90s from reviewers.

Yountville AVA is just west of Stags Leap and north of Oak Knoll. It is centered around the town of Yountville, named for George Yountville, who planted the area’s first vineyard in 1836. The district received appellation status in 1999 and it includes 4,000 vineyard acres. It is known for tannic Cabernet Sauvignon that has a reputation for aging well. Dominus Estate, formerly Napanook Vineyard, is one of the most prestigious producers in Yountville, and in all of Napa Valley.

This crisp, dry white wine hails from France but is grown in wine regions around the world. In California, it is sometimes called Fume Blanc; while in Sauternes, it is a component of their famous dessert wines.