A thrilling new Barrel Climber micro cuvée that challenges the common perception of what this versatile grape can accomplish.
Aged in 80% new, low-impact French oak barrels for 15 months and bottled both unfined and unfiltered, the Barrel Climber is next-level Sauvignon Blanc.
Already love our Cuvée Renee? All of the juicy, tropical and citrus fruit and racy acidity is here and is now framed and enhanced (and yet not smothered) by a long sleep in a very special oak selection. These are the same barrels we employ on our dearest, most delicate coolest climate Pinot and we’ve found they are an outstanding match for our Sauvignon Blanc, especially the Musqué clone we source from the Fallenleaf vineyard.
The result? An undeniably sumptuous and rather audacious Sauvignon with more roundness, mid-palate stuffing and length than we’ve produced in the past. Folks who love the best examples of white wines from Friuli and Alto Adige in Italy will undoubtedly be smitten (as are we) with this release.
Born of our relentless exploration in the cellar of matching specific barrels to specific vineyards, we have been holding a few barrels of this wine to over vintage into the next year’s Cuvée Renee for added texture. It turned out to be so delicious in 2015 we decided to bottle a scant 31 cases on its own to share with you!
DRINKING WINDOWS
Prime drinking: spring 2017 through late 2020 Graceful ageability: 2021+
Direct sales are allocated exclusively to EK Allocation List members at a 10% discount. Orders of 6+ bottles save an additional 50% off shipping. New releases ship twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Join EK Allocation List
CUSTOMIZED ALLOCATIONS
You may customize your spring and fall allocations any way you like, from 0–12 bottles of each wine. (Small-lot and list-only wines will have lower limits.) To modify your allocations, click on MY ALLOCATION above. Join EK Allocation List
REORDERS
Wines often sell out at or close to release, so we encourage making the most of your spring and fall allocations. As long as wine remains, you are welcome to reorder online through our EK Special Order store. Or contact John Gillis at john@erickentwines.com or 415.244.9453.
