The Hedonistic Taster | № 30 | Animo 2015 Heritage Sauvignon Blanc – Michael Mondavi Family Estate | Napa Valley
by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML
A Tasse de dégustiation, or tastevin, is a silver tasting cup used by vignerons and negociants in Burgundy to taste wines. Most are presented as christening gifts at birth.
" data-orig-size="289,175" sizes="(max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" data-image-title="tastevin" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg" style="border:0;height:auto;max-width:100%;clear:both;display:block;margin:5px auto 10px;border-radius:2px;vertical-align:middle;" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2016/04/10/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-1/imgres-4/" alt="Tastevin" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg 289w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=150 150w" class="size-full wp-image-13244 aligncenter" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" />“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
Michael Mondavi Family Estate is a fourth-generation Napa Valley winery that crafts ultra-premium wines from heritage vines.
" data-orig-size="280,180" title="Michael Mondavi Estate" data-image-title="Michael Mondavi Estate" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/michaelmondaviesate.jpg" style="width: 696px; height: 447px;" itemprop="http://schema.org/image" height="447" width="696" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/michaelmondaviesate.jpg?w=280" data-original-height="447" alt="Michael Mondavi Family Estate on Atlas Peak, Napa Valley. ©Michael Mondavi Family Estate." data-original-width="696" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/michaelmondaviesate.jpg?w=280" /> Michael Mondavi Family Estate on Atlas Peak, Napa Valley. ©Michael Mondavi Family Estate.Today’s Tasting: Animo 2015 Heritage Sauvignon Blanc – Michael Mondavi Family Estate | Napa Valley
Napa and Sonoma wineries are open for business, folks – as today’s trade sample proves.
“Animo” in Italian means ‘heart’ or ‘spirit’ – an apt descriptor for this wine, and the Wine Country community.
Michael Mondavi Family Estate represents ‘Old Growth’ Napa, a firmly rooted fourth-generation winery with a prestigious pedigree. In 1996, they purchased Animo vineyard atop Atlas Peak, and Heritage Block in 2006.
Farmed sustainably employing 19th century trellising, Heritage Block contains Sauvignon Blanc vine cuttings sourced from Oakville’s historic ToKalon vineyard, vines considered the oldest in North America, and directly traceable to Bordeaux’s famed Château d’Yquem.
Animo Sauvignon Blanc seamlessly blends this old world heritage with a new world indomitability. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “If wine be the music of love, pour on!”
The Michael Mondavi Family Estate produces heritage wines in Napa Valley.
" data-orig-size="4992,6666" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" data-image-title="2015 Animo Napa Valley Heritage Sauvignon Blanc" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/animo-heritage-sauvignon-blanc.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"16","credit":"\u00a92017, Robert M. Bruno, Wine Co","camera":"Leaf Aptus 75(NR9345 )\/Mamiya 645DF\/645AFD","caption":"2015 Animo Napa Valley Heritage Sauvignon Blanc","created_timestamp":"1487774820","copyright":"\u00a9 2017 Robert M. Bruno, Wine Country Photography, All rights reserved","focal_length":"120","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.008695652173913","title":"2015 Animo Napa Valley Heritage Sauvignon Blanc","orientation":"1"}" width="225" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/animo-heritage-sauvignon-blanc.jpg?w=225&h;=300" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2017/10/27/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-30-animo-2015-heritage-sauvignon-blanc-mmfe-napa-valley/2015-animo-napa-valley-heritage-sauvignon-blanc/" alt="" height="300" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/animo-heritage-sauvignon-blanc.jpg?w=225&h;=300 225w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/animo-heritage-sauvignon-blanc.jpg?w=450&h;=600 450w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/animo-heritage-sauvignon-blanc.jpg?w=112&h;=150 112w" class="size-medium wp-image-17714" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/animo-heritage-sauvignon-blanc.jpg?w=637" />2015 Animo Napa Valley Heritage Sauvignon Blanc.Wine: Animo 2015 Napa Valley Heritage Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14.4%
Suggested Retail: $65 [6 barrels produced.]
Specs
Robe: Clear straw robe.
Nose: Gooseberry, citrus, cut grass aromas.
Palate: Aromas carry through on the bouche. Bright acids, medium-light body, medium finish.
Suggested Pairings: A classic sauvignon blanc clever enough to pair with shrimp skewers and Thai dipping sauce.
Rating: 91
Learn more about The Michael Mondavi Family here.
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