2022 The Reserve Fumé Blanc, To Kalon Vineyard

$95

Total $95
Total

The 2021 Reserve Fumé Blanc is fresh, lively, and juicy, with vibrant acidity and a lingering finish. Sourced from To Kalon Vineyard, where well-drained soils combine with ideal sun exposure to yield rich, complex flavors and flawless fruit maturity. 

Aromas: Peach, yellow jasmine, citrus, and mango with herb and lemon
Flavors: Mango and other tropical fruits with a touch of barrel spice
Body: Fresh, lively, and juicy with a good density and acidity through a lingering finish

Vintage 2022

Varietal Fumé Blanc

Appellation Oakville, Napa Valley

95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon

THE VINEYARD: To Kalon is situated on prime benchland in west Oakville. The well-drained soils combine with ideal sun exposure to yield rich, complex flavors and flawless fruit maturity. The Sauvignon Blanc in this blend is sourced primarily from the Monastery Block at the northern end of To Kalon and offers a beautiful tropical and stone fruit character. A portion of the blend comes from V Block, offering youthful, higher-toned fruit with great juiciness and freshness. A small amount of Sémillon adds viscosity and texture to the finished wine.

THE VINTAGE: Overall, the 2022 vintage was a mild, dry, and very pleasant growing season through August. The fruit for our To Kalon Reserve Fumé Blanc was hand harvested before a heat surge. The juice was cool fermented in a combination of French oak barrels (29% new) and concrete fermentation eggs. The wine remained on the lees for nine months to balance the natural acidity with texture and richness until coming out of barrel for bottling.

Pts. Jeb Dunnuck ""In contrast to the classic release, the 2022 Fumé Blanc Reserve To Kalon Vineyard is much racier and more mineral-driven. Clean stone fruits, white flowers, chalk, and subtle minty notes all define the aromatics, and it reminds me of a great vintage of Dagueneau’s Silex with its tight, inward, mineral-laced profile. With medium-bodied richness, terrific concentration, integrated yet high acidity, and a great finish, give bottles a few years and enjoy over the following decade." - Jeb Dunnuck, January 2025
Pts. James Suckling "A well-polished yet muscular red that balances creaminess with lightly chewy tannins. It's deep in black cherries, blackcurrants, red cherries and hints of black olives. Full-bodied and packed with fine-grained tannins, but still nicely plush in texture. Blended with 7% petit verdot, 5% cabernet franc, 1% malbec and 1% merlot. Drink now or hold." - Jim Gordon, January 2025
Pts. Forbes "Classic aromas of gooseberry and melon, with appealing notes of papaya. Medium-full with very good acidity and a long, satisfying finish with a hint of bell pepper. Beautiful expression of Fumé Blanc; enjoy now or over the next 5-7 years." - Tom Hyland, January 2025
Pts. Wine Advocate "Mondavi's 2022 Fume Blanc The Reserve To Kalon Vineyard includes 5% Sémillon and comes from the Monastery Block of the vineyard. It's 91% barrel fermented in 35% new French oak, with the other 9% going into concrete. Fig, pear, and pineapple notes are accented on the nose by spicy oak and hints of honey, while the medium to full-bodied palate is round yet finishes clean, crisp, long, and mouthwatering." - Joe Czerwinski, October 2024