Shared Notes is the joint venture between wife and husband winemaking team, Bibiana González Rave and Jeff Pisoni. While these two winemakers make wines separate from each other, Cattleya and Pisoni Vineyards respectively, 2012 marked the first vintage that they produced wine together. With a focus on Sauvignon Blanc, each year Shared Notes produces two distinct wines showing recognition to the great white wines of Bordeaux and the Loire Valley, with grapes sourced from the Russian River Valley. I found these two wines to be exceptional, crafted with care by these two very talented winemakers, for both the vineyards and grapes that make the foundation of the wines. Some have compared these wines with legendary wines from France: Dagueneau from the Loire Valley or Chateau Haut Brion Blanc from Bordeaux. These are two of the very best expressions of Sauvignon Blanc in the world and are incredibly hard to find. Admittedly, the wines made by Rave and Pisoni are pretty darn close!

A classic Bordeaux blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillion, the 2023 Shared Notes Les Lecons des Maitres (translated: lessons from the masters) is a stunning white wine in every way. The color is a pale yellow/green tone, light golden hues with purity and viscosity that gave me a hint that I was in for a wonderful ride! Only 195 cases of the 2023 were produced and is comprised mostly of fruit from 50-year-old vines from Richie Vineyard and was fermented in barrel and aged 10 months in 100% new French oak. The aromas are very complex, but with each swirl they are precise revealing white flowers, lemon preserve, white peach, a whiff of white pepper, beeswax, and stone minerality. The palate is richly layered with generous weight and volume that coats your mouth. There are layers of stone fruits, Meyer lemon and lively acidity that add texture and lift through a long expansive finish. This epic 2023 Shared Notes Les Lecons des Maitres is one that is made to age. This is truly one of the great Sauvignon Blancs from California.

By Perry Miroballi