Checkerboard Sauvignon Blanc Diamond Mountain 2021

If we sometimes refer to a small estate winery or vineyard as a jewel box, then the Diamond Mountain District in the Napa Valley is a treasure trove.    This region of volcanic soils comprises just 500 planted acres, all above 400 feet in elevation, that span the fog-crested Mayacamas Mountains between St. Helena and Calistoga.  The established wineries here are few, but they are among Napa’s most prestigious: Diamond Creek, Constant-Diamond, and The Vineyardist.

Checkerboard Vineyards is located on the southeastern slopes of Diamond Mountain at the northern end of the Napa Valley, sustainably farmed by Jim Barbour and handcrafted by Martha McClellan (Levy & McClellan, Sloan, Vineyard 7&8, Hamel, and formerly of Blankiet and Harlan), a woman who is known for painstakingly meticulous winemaking.  Vintners Dennis O’Neil and Steph Martin matched Martha’s precision and intention when creating their 300-acre estate, which includes four uniquely different vineyard sites.  While crafting polished, glamorous small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon has been their focus since the winery’s inception in 2006, a little parcel of Sauvignon Blanc is tucked away in their Spring Meadows Vineyard.  Sitting at 600 feet in elevation, the one-third acre of Sauvignon Blanc vines is a tiny dot amidst a forest of Oak, Maple, and Madrone trees.  The soils below are nutrient-rich, benefiting from the forest’s diverse flora, and combine with the day-long, east-to-west sun exposure to grow vigorous, hearty vines and nuanced berry clusters.  And adding a punch of aromatic power, 10% of the vineyard is planted to the Musque clone of Sauvignon Blanc.

Much to our delight when preparing to taste the newest release of Checkerboard’s famed reds, a curious bottle of white wine graced the “line-up.”  Traditionally, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc only reaches the cellars of Checkerboard’s top client list and vetted restaurant lists.  However, ACME’s special relationship with the winery again granted us esteemed access to this delicious bottling.  Hand-harvested from the sustainably farmed Spring Meadow Vineyard, the wine ferments from indigenous yeast in neutral French oak barrels inside the estate’s caves.  Once fermentation is complete, the Sauvignon Blanc spends three months in 100% new French oak to round out the aging.  The Musque Clone proudly gives itself away on the nose with tropical aromatics of mango, passion fruit, and delicate white flowers.  At first sip, the Sauvignon Blanc is a round, full-bodied white with a mouth-coating texture showcasing oak aging.  Flavors of lemon meringue pie, grapefruit, and juicy white peaches proceed with a zippy finish that refreshes your palate and encourages you to take another sip.