At a glance

Producer

Shared Notes

Region

Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

Grape variety

Sauvignon Blanc (primarily, occasionally with Sémillon)

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$80-120 USD (current secondary/auction market, rare older vintage)

Tasting profile

Ripe stone fruit, citrus, wet stone, subtle herbaceous notes, hint of lanolin; creamy texture with lively acidity and mineral drive.

Evolution: Primary fruit evolves toward preserved lemon, beeswax, honeyed notes, with a flinty/mineral backbone and softening edges.

At peak: Complex, layered, and precise with fresh acidity framing mature fruit and integrated oak (if present); may show dried fruit and honey with age.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to high (critical for longevity in the style)

Tannins

None (white wine, may show light phenolic grip)

Alcohol

Typically 13-14% ABV

Aging potential

10-12 years in ideal, temperature-controlled conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2017 to 2022

Optimal window

2015 to 2024

Current status

Excellent maturity, still vibrant

Current condition

Approaching end of optimal window, expected to show integration and complexity with freshness, may decline after 2025 depending on storage

High-quality Sonoma Sauvignon Blancs with careful viticulture and winemaking, like Shared Notes, can age 8-12 years. 2013 was a strong vintage with optimal ripeness and balance, supporting extended aging and late tertiary development. This wine is at or just past peak, with a final window for those who enjoy evolved complexity.

Food pairing

Shellfish (crab, scallops), sashimi, citrus-dressed salads, chèvre, roast chicken with herbs, or fresh spring vegetables.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Sourced from high-quality vineyards in Russian River; minimal intervention; manual harvest; small-lot production; no specific public claims regarding energy, water, or packaging sustainability practices.

Shared Notes is a boutique project by Thomas Rivers Brown and Nicolas Morlet focusing on French-style whites in Sonoma. While vineyard sources may practice some sustainable viticulture, there is no third-party certification or detailed reporting. The winery emphasizes quality over scale, but without official programs or significant published initiatives, broad sustainability metrics lag behind progressive producers. Packaging is standard; carbon emission offsets or eco-materials are not declared. Score reflects a neutral evaluation: care in production, but little proactive sustainability communication.