Golden Ore
Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage:
- 2023
Appelation:
- Rutherford
Aging:
- 16 months in 30% new
- french oak
Variety:
- 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fermentation:
- 5-6 weeks in oak
Production:
- 200 Cases
Story
From the outset, Proprietor Sam Simon and winemaker Maayan Koschitzky agreed that the Golden Ore Sauvignon Blanc—Simon Family Estate’s only white wine—would be approached with the same level of precision and investment as the red wines. With this standard in mind, each vintage of Golden Ore is crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from McGah Family Vineyard in Rutherford, expressing both site and season with clarity and intention.
Tasting Notes
Aromatically, the 2023 Golden Ore opens with lifted herbal notes and a subtle touch of menthol. On the palate, the wine is bright and pure, evoking fresh lemon juice with vibrant acidity and precision. The finish is clean and focused, with the integrated oak lending quiet depth and harmony, framing the wine’s freshness without overshadowing its energy.
The wine was aged in a thoughtful combination of barrels, including 30% new French oak with light toast to provide structure and a smooth, rounded texture, alongside neutral Austrian oak, which contributes a distinctive nuance and brings balance to the fruit expression.
Released March 2026
“This wine is serious and rich, offering the depth to evolve beautifully over the coming decade.”
From the McGah Vineyard in Rutherford, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Golden Ore is a serious Sauvignon that offers honeyed lemon, brioche, white flowers, and hints of green almond. It’s rich and medium-bodied, with a concentrated mid-palate and a great finish that really brings to mind a top Bordeaux Blanc. Based on 100% Sauvignon Blanc and aged 16 months in barrels, it has the depth and texture to evolve nicely over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035.
“Barrel fermented and aged, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc has a richer, more serious style in its ripe lemon curd, toasted spice, and honeyed flower-like aromatics. These carry to a medium-bodied, concentrated… Sauvignon Blanc that has integrated acidity and a great finish.”
“Rich in texture, generous in flavors, with harmonious hints of butter, vanilla and brioche backed by ripe grapefruit and green apple flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated and long in the finish. Drink now.”
“Barrel-fermented and matured 18 months in a mix of new and used oak (French), the 2020 Golden Ore Sauvignon Blanc is the only 2020 wine being released by Simon Famil Estate. It’s toasty and… slightly nutty on the nose, with scents of struck match joining notes of passion fruit, orange and vanilla, while the palate is medium-bodied but creamy and lush. It’s just lovely stuff, striking a fine balance between acidity and texture on the long, mouthwatering finish.”
