Ghostnote - 'Graves Coast Blanc' - Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon - Santa Cruz Mountains, CA - 2024

@ghostnotewines

Notes from the Winery/Importer

The inaugural vintage of Graves Coast Blanc is an homage to the traditional Bordeaux Blanc of Graves, the left bank appellation that established Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon as one of the great blending pairs in wine.

Both varieties come from Gist Ranch, a roughly 10-acre parcel at 2,400 feet in the northern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. Organically farmed on steep slopes of sandstone and fractured bedrock, it's a high-elevation, marine-influenced site that holds onto acidity long into the season. Sémillon was harvested September 7th, Sauvignon Blanc on the 12th.

The 2024 was aged 17 months across a range of vessels: stainless steel, 1,000L Slovenian oak botti, cigar barrels, hogsheads, and standard barriques, with no lees stirring. The mix of vessel sizes and materials helps to build texture and complexity.

Meyer lemon oil, White melon, Grapefruit pith, Chamomile, Sandstone, Saline, Nori Paper

260 cases and 12 magnums produced.

Serve slightly chilled, around 60°F.

63% Sauvignon Blanc, 37% Semillon

Alcohol 13.9% Alc./Vol

Residual Sugar 0.5 g/L

pH 3.25

Total Acidity 6.0 g/L

Malic Acid 0.0 g/L

Volatile Acidity 0.19 g/L

Notes on the Producer

Ghostnote Wines is Brad Friedman’s small, independent project: naturally made, quietly serious wines with purpose, craft, and a clear point of view.

Grapes & Style

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s most recognizable white grapes, with deep roots in the Loire and Bordeaux. In the Loire, it’s the grape of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Touraine; in Bordeaux, it often works with Sémillon to make both dry whites and great sweet wines. It has also become a major international variety, especially in New Zealand, California, Chile, South Africa, and Austria.

In the vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic and expressive, often marked by high acidity and a strong sensitivity to climate. Cooler sites bring out citrus, green herbs, grass, and mineral tones; warmer sites push toward tropical fruit and broader texture. It’s usually at its best when freshness is protected and the aromatics stay precise.

In the glass, Sauvignon Blanc tends to be vivid, high-toned, and refreshing. Depending on place and style, it can taste of lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, gooseberry, cut grass, herbs, smoke, or wet stone. Good Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t need to be loud — the best versions balance brightness with texture and leave a clean, savory snap.

Semillon

Sémillon is a major Bordeaux white grape and one of the great grapes for both dry and sweet wine. In Bordeaux it’s often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, while in Sauternes and Barsac it forms the backbone of some of the world’s most famous botrytized sweet wines. Australia’s Hunter Valley has also built a singular dry, ageworthy style around it.

In the vineyard, Sémillon has relatively thin skins and can be susceptible to botrytis, which is either a problem or a gift depending on the wine being made. It usually has moderate acidity and a broad texture, so blending with Sauvignon Blanc can add lift, while careful dry examples rely on restraint and balance.

In the glass, Sémillon can show lemon, fig, pear, lanolin, beeswax, herbs, and toast with age. Young dry versions can be quiet and citrusy, but the best bottles develop remarkable savory, honeyed, and waxy complexity over time.