QRW | Spring 2008 | Savory Sauvignon Blanc

More QRW Spring 2008 feature articles:

Guessing Game/Clive Coates, M.W.

Barbaresco’s Big Party/Tom Maresca

Best of The Best: California Bubbly

Best of The Best: California Chardonnay

Best of The Best: California Pinot Noir

Wining and Dining: Provence/Edward and Mireille Guiliano

Sweet Dreams/Elisabeth Townsend

Chocolate Pistachio Semifreddo/Judy Mattera

Dark Victory/QRW Staff

An Unlikely Wine Revolution/Harvey FInkel

Our Favorite 18-Year-Old Malts/QRW Staff

Best 12- and 15-Year-Old Single Malts/QRW Staff

Dernier Cri: A Glass of Whine/Randy Sheahan

Savory Sauvignon Blanc

These five California beauties are well worth seeking out.

QRW Staff

We decided to put together 37 of what we felt were the best Sauvignon Blanc available nationally at retailers and restaurants, and to do an in-house tasting. Good thing because the wines were better than we imagined: rich, filled with peaches and pears and honeysuckle and citrus and figs and ... What do you eat with Sauvignon or Fumé Blanc? The ultimate marriage: Fish. Grill it, broil it, steam it ...

Top 5 Sauvignon Blanc: Recent Releases

BEST OF SHOW

2005 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc Reserve “To-Kalon Vineyard” (Napa Valley), $40. Lemon and lime aromas, with spice and tartness that can’t be missed. Lovely layers of textures. It’s smoky, with white peach note, lemon, and melon, with gentle oak.

2006 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc “Griva Vineyard” (Arroyo Seco), $20. Delicious wine: elegant and engaging. Nose and flavors are filled with lemon notes, honeysuckle, pear tones, figs, spice, and hint of oak. Fine finish that’s long and satisfying.

2005 Dry Creek Vineyards Fume Blanc “DCV3” (Dry Creek Valley), $25. Long known for great Sauvignon Blanc, this may be the best Dry Creek in some time. Crisp, tart, pear and white peach, with lemon and lime notes, and a finish that makes it gratifyingly long.

2006 J. Lohr Sauvignon Blanc “Carol’s Vineyard” (Napa Valley), $25. The archetypal Sauvignon Blanc: spice, melon, ripe, apple, and gooseberry. Succulent. Lovely texture, earthy, rich with long finish. Lovely.

2007 St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley), $22. The winery is well known for its Sauvignon Blanc. Grapefruit, honeysuckle, pineapple and tropical notes. Stylish finish; well made wine.