Sauvignon Blanc
2015 Clifford Bay, Sauvignon Blanc
Awatere Valley, New Zealand
An exceptional wine at this price point! On both the nose and palate loaded with tropical fruits including passion fruit, grapefruit, key lime and fresh cut grass. Juicy acidity makes this a great food wine as well.
$11 – 90 Points
2016 Rombauer Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California
Highly aromatic with scents of passion fruit, peach, pineapple, ruby red grapefruit and citrus zest flowing out of the glass with lesser notes of white flowers, wet stone and lemongrass.
Bright and vibrant on the juicy palate showing well integrated notes of ruby grapefruit, guava, peach, and lemongrass flavors that are precise and leads into the zesty finish that highlights fresh passion fruit and citrus zest.
2016, Desparada, Sauvignon Blanc, Fragment
Santa Barbara County, California
100% Sauvignon Blanc from McGinley and Presquile Vineyards in Santa Barbara County. Fermented and aged in 27% Neutral French Oak, 23% once used Acacia Puncheons, 20% Stainless Steel, 15% New Acacia Puncheons, 15% Neutral Acacia Puncheons.
Aromas display precise notes of pear, lychee, kaffir lime, melon and touch of green guava that weave into scents of orchard blossoms, wet stone, pink peppercorn and a streak of minerality.
A rush of juicy, bright acidity upon entry that gives way to creamy texture and a great mid-palate. Well structured and enhanced with flavors of kaffir lime, melon, lychee, ripe peach, heirloom apple and pear that are supported by orange and peach blossom, crushed stone, mineral and a delicate spice. The finish is long and juicy.
$25 – 92 Points
2015 Jules Taylor, Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zealand
Bright aromas show a tropical streak with pineapple, passion fruit, guava with lime zest, grapefruit and kiwi scents. Lemon grass, ginger and hints of white flowers make there way through the nose.
The palate is zesty and abundantly juicy with flavors of green pineapple, grapefruit, under-ripe kiwi, passion fruit, lime and lemon zest, lemongrass, river rock and flowers. Long through the racy finish.
2015 Jules Taylor, Sauvignon Blanc OTQ
Marlborough, New Zealand
Single vineyard (Plunkett), Limited release. Hand harvested and whole cluster pressed into old oak barrels for wild fermentation and maturation on its yeast lees in wood for nearly a year. The wine also went through partial malolactic fermentation! The nose is unique and certainly not the typical NZ Sauvignon Blanc. Mineral laced with notes of caramelized lemon, grapefruit and ripe banana that meet scents of white flowers, delicate herbs, lemongrass and a trace of light caramel. The palate and retro olfaction notes of river rock and salty mineral are balanced with flavors of grilled Meyer lemon, ruby grapefruit, white flowers, herbs, lemongrass and light caramel that come through on the back. Smooth and bordering on creamy in texture with just enough weight. Lingers through the finish, completely unique and delicious
2014 Desparada, Sauvignon Blanc, Gamma Cassiopeiae. 3. Qh4
Santa Maria Valley, California
100% Presqui'le Vineyard. Fermented and aged 6 months in a single 500L terra cotta amphora on lees, stirred 2x/week. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Aromas show off saline mineral and river rock notes that incorporate notes of lychee, lemon-lime, raw pineapple and faint hints of lemongrass, yeast, herbs that lean towards rosemary and English lavender with a trace bell pepper.
The palate shows a more texture than the stainless steel version. Structured acidity and flavors of lemon, pineapple, green apple, lychee, white peach with jalapeño, lemongrass, river rock and saline notes with a lees-y component. The finish is round and lingers pleasantly.
2017 Va Piano, Sauvignon Blanc Chelle Den Millie Vineyard
Yakima Valley, Washington
Aromatically layered and expressive. Scents flow from the glass retailing ruby grapefruit, pineapple, lemongrass, ginger and hints of delicate white flowers and wet sidewalk.
The palate shows bright acidity, and zesty fruits of Meyer lemon and grapefruit with fresh lemongrass, pineapple and orchard blossoms that unfold to reveal ginger, stone and saline. Long through the finish. Gorgeous!
2017 Serge Dagueneau & Filles, Pouilly-Fumé,
Les Pentes
Pouilly-Fumé, France
A classic Pouilly-Fumé. This wine comes from 50-year-old Sauvignon Blanc vines grown on Kimmeridgian marls. Fruit is hand harvested and undergoes indigenous yeast fermentation and lees stirring to encourage richness.
Fresh and intense with notes of gooseberry, starfruit, lemon zest and pink grapefruit that bring in notes of smoke, herb, mineral and a hint of white flower. The finish lingers.
2017 Turnbull, Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California
100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced mainly from their estate vineyard. Stainless steel tank, unlined concrete, clay amphorae, and well-seasoned French Oak barrels each play a role in the fermentation and aging processes.
The nose reveals scents of lychee, Meyer lemon, guava and pink grapefruit with additional notes of lemongrass, orange blossom and hints of passion fruit.
The palate is succulent, well textured almost creamy with a bright, juicy acidity and slightly above moderate viscosity. Flavors of passion fruit, guava, Meyer lemon, pink grapefruit, lychee come with crème fraiche, lemongrass and hints of orchard blossoms. The juicy finish lingers on and on.
2020 Spottswoode, Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley California
Crafted with grapes from the Spottswoode Estate, as well as a handful of other iconic vineyards such as Attelas, Hyde, Murray, Farina and Pelkan.
Fermented in a combination of oak barrels, small stainless steel barrels, a clay amphora, and ceramic and concrete cuves.
Aromas show a complex mix of citrus, green apple, starfruit, white peach and kiwi with notes of delicate flowers, herbs of pineapple sage and thyme, pink peppercorn and lemongrass.
The palate shows texture with an almost creamy mid-palate and racy acidity that is flecked with grapefruit, lemon-lime, and orange zest notes that are met with kiwi, starfruit and white peach, lemongrass, herbs, florals and mineral that play out on the finish at length.
Pouilly-Fumé, France
Grown on the 3 central communes of the appellation: Tracy sur Loire, Pouilly sur Loire and St Andelain. Fermented in stainless steel followed by 6–12-month fine lees ageing (with weekly bâtonnage).
Aromas of green apple, guava, kiwi, and hints of grapefruit zest alongside nuances of chalky minerals, earth and hints of flintlock. The palate shows juicy acidity and a mouth filling almost fleshy texture that comes with a core of fruit. The palate is bursting with notes of guava, kiwi, apple and grapefruit zest that are accompanied by the more subtle notes of sea mist, mineral and finishes with a hint of a steel quality. Absolutely spectacular. This is 100% Chardonnay that sees 18 months in French oak on the lees with frequent stirring.
Intoxicating on both the nose and palate with rich brioche, gingerbread and crème brûlée with touches of apricot, white fig, quince and herbs on citrus, honey and butterscotch aromas. The palate deliver creamy textures and rich flavors of white fig, lemon curd, apricot sautéed in almonds and butter, vanilla bean, clove and gingerbread, crème brûlée and honeyed notes. The result is an elegant and finesse driven Chardonnay that embodies Meursault with a California accent.