In drier vintages in Napa Valley, the energy in the wine is heightened and highly charged.  Such was the case in 2021, the harvest coming on the heels of a remarkable drought. Yields were less than half of normal. Clusters appeared as scale models of “normal” fruit. The resulting juice and wines were incredibly concentrated and packed with flavor. Whole cluster pressing and fermentation in barrel helped to preserve the fruit essences while broadening the palate weight and softening the angles created by such intense natural acidity. Aging on the lees, in a combination of new French oak barrels, neutral barrels, and stainless steel barrels, added layers to the wine, as well as notes of baking spice, flint, and wet slate. The combination of intense fruit flavors, and these other complexities, makes for a compelling wine for sure.

A blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sauvignon Musque, the Base Camp’ pours out of the bottle as effusive and generous, while also maintaining a tight focus and high resolution. Notes of fresh flowers and Meyer lemon float along with lychee, lemongrass, and fresh ocean air. The strict acid backbone on the palate will help the wine to age for many years, and to continue to gain layers while keeping the intense fruit character at the core.