Among the white noble varietals, Sauvignon Blanc often gets short shrift as an also-ran next to Chardonnay and Riesling. Nevertheless, this particular varietal enjoys a myriad of expressions throughout the Old and New Worlds, and is now getting more recognition among some wine critics as a world class wine with ever increasing point scales worthy of accolades previously reserved for its sibling varietals. In my latest class, we delved into the particularities of various terroirs from around the world that are instrumental in producing distinctive tasting profiles that will delight and tantalize your taste buds as we move into the spring season.
1692 Spier Seaward Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Origin/Classification: W.O.
(Wine of Origin) Coastal Region, South Africa
Varietal: 100%
Sauvignon Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes:
Aromas of melon, gooseberry, tropical fruit, grass and green figs; notes of
grapefruit and other citrus fruit; crisp, light-bodied; long lingering finish.
Food Pairings:
Seafood salad; roast chicken
Alcohol: 13.5%
Dog Point 2023
Origin: AMW (Marlborough),
Wairu Valley, New Zealand
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon
Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes: Whole bunch pressed; 4 months aging in stainless steel tanks; partly fermented with indigenous yeast; no fining; perfumy array of citrus including grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin; juicy and fresh upfront on the palate with ripe stone fruit; intense, generous flavors; refreshing saline acidity. (92 points, James Suckling) Most participants were turned off by the rather musty, powdery, funky nose on this wine, but once you get past that, on the palate it becomes more and more savory as indicated the notes mentioned above.
Alcohol: 13%
Chalk Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Origin: Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Varietal: 93% Sauvignon
Blanc; 7% Sauvignon Gris
Production/Tasting Notes: Cultured
yeast fermentation in barrel; 5 months aging on the lees in 69% French oak (10%
new) and 31% stainless steel with periodic batonnage; aromas of white flower,
passion fruit, guava, honeydew, citrus with a touch of oak; crisp, plush on the
palate with balanced acidity, smooth texture; Meyer lemon on the finish.
Food Pairings:
lobster with rich sauce; scallops
Alcohol: 14.6%
King Maui Cellar Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
2023
Origin: Marlborough, New
Zealand
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon
Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes:
Herbaceous and tropical overtones featuring green melon, citrus and grapefruit
flavors; abundant acidity. (92 points, Wine Advocate)
Food Pairings: Salmon,
oysters
Alcohol:
12.5%
Brisandes (Los Vascos) Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Origin: Colchagua Valley,
Chile
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon
Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes:
Collaboration with Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite; cold maceration for a
few hours followed by pressing and fermenting at low temperature in stainless
steel tanks; partly aged on the lees; aromas of peach, pear, lychee and citrus (lime)
with undertones of tarragon, peppermint and freshly cut grass; lively, fresh
and persistent on the palate; crisp finish. (90 points, James Suckling)
Food Pairings:
Seafood and shellfish
Alcohol: 12%
Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Origin/Classification: Marlborough,
New Zealand
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon
Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes: Some
skin contact in fermentation; briefly aged in oak and acacia barrels; intense
aromas of gooseberry, currant leaves, lime zest; crisp and tangy;
medium-bodied; bright acidity; citrusy finish.
(90 points, James Suckling); “display[s} fresh ginger, white pepper and
passion fruit flavors… intense and mouthwatering, including salted lime, ruby
grapefruit and yuzu.” – Wine Spectator, 90 points.
Food Pairings:
Soft cheeses; white meat
Alcohol: 13%
Nicolas Gaudry Pouilly-Fume 2023
Origin: Appellation
Pouilly-Fume Controlee
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon
Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes: Zesty
citrus aromas, grapefruit and lemon; herbal notes of thyme and grass; crisp,
lively acidity; minerally undertones imbue flinty notes.
Food Pairings:
Oysters; goat cheese; grilled chicken; sauteed shrimp
Alcohol: 13%
Pascal Thomas Pouilly Fume 2023
Origin: Appellation
Pouilly Fume Controlee
Varietal: 100%
Sauvignon Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes: Hand-harvested; aromas of grapefruit; gooseberry;
green pear, quince, lemon peel with subtle earth and flint notes and a crisp
finish.
Food Pairings:
crabcakes, seafood, and vegetable forward dishes.
Alcohol: 13%
Justin Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Origin: Central Coast,
California
Varietal: 100%
Sauvignon Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes: Whole cluster
pressing; fermented at cool temperatures
in stainless steel tanks; no malolactic fermentation; aromas of ripe lemon,
green apple, peach, citrus blossom and fresh herbs; medium-bodied; bright lemon
and Granny Smith on initial palate, pineapple and fresh-cut herbs on
mid-palate; moderately long finish textured with sustained citrus, herbal and
mineral notes. (91 points, Wine Spectator)
Food Pairings: Grilled
salmon; tapas; seafood salad
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rapura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Origin: AMW Marlborough, New Zealand
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes: These notes are specifically for the 2024 vintage, but may be used as a reference point for the 2023 issue that we tasted in class: "Generous, vibrant, offering intense passion fruit, lemongrass and lemon verbena [creating] an aromatic mix with lemon, Key lime and vetiver accents, plus a long, juicy finish." Wine Spectator, 92 points.
Alcohol: 13%
Notes
on Sauvignon Blanc
Flavor Profiles & Aromas: Citrus,
(Grapefruit, Lemon), Melon; herb, freshly cut grass, boxwood, gooseberry; mineral;
those with oak – vanilla, spice, smoke. (A common perception is that sometimes
the aroma, especially in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, is reminiscent of cat
pee, which critics shy away from naming, but there’s denying the pungent aroma
in certain brands.)
Styles: 1) Crisp -
lively and refreshing, full of fruit flavors; 2) Elegant, crisp yet round and
complex; layers of flavors; 3) Oak – toasty notes, hints of smoke and vanilla.
Food Pairings:
Fruity
– Mussels,
Scallops, Shellfish
Grassy/Herbal
– Grilled Vegetables
Creamy,
Oaked – Grilled Chicken, Swordfish
Major Sauvignon Blanc Producing Regions:
Bordeaux
– Pessac-Leognan,
Graves, Entre-Deux-Mers
Loire
– Pouilly-Fume, Sancerre, Touraine
New
Zealand – Marlborough, Hawkes Bay
California
– Sonoma County, Napa Valley
South
Africa – Stellenbosch
Chile,
Washington State
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