With this in mind, I continue my SB exploration and offer up some of my recent tastings of this noble varietal in all its glory (and occasional disappointments).
Let's start off with the "really good"!
Chalk Hill Sauvignon Blanc Estate 2011
From the very first whiff of this wine's bouquet, I could tell I was in for something exceptional. Indeed, I can categorically state that this is one of the finest SBs I've had the pleasure of indulging in. It's actually a blend of 3 SB grapes: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 7% Sauvigon Gris, and 3% Sauvignon Musque.
The aroma is pungent with the typical citrusy, grapefruit notes, but goes well beyond that with all sorts of fruit sensations - pear, pineapple, lychee, quince - as well as floral and herbal scents. The palate then opens up with orchard fruit, spicy citrus and maybe a touch of mango. This is a lush, elegant, full-bodied SB which is not surprising given that it's been aged in French oak for 10 months (which may add some vanilla notes as well) and has undergone regular batonnâge (stirring the lees). The finish is long, powerful and persistent, and at 14.8% alcohol (the highest octane SB I've come across), this potent wine is one that you definitely want to pair with food, in particular a meaty, fleshy, full-flavored fish (halibut, mahi- mahi, sea bass) or Asian fish preparations. Its complexity, potency and full-flavored profile will enhance greatly your dining experience.
The best news is that it is currently available at PA wine store as a Chairman's Select for half its suggested retail price - $15.99. Check online for availability in your area (code 33257) and grab some fast!
www.finewineandgoodspirits.com/
http://www.chalkhill.com/
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Now let's move onto the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, where for the first time I will invoke my CAUTION: BAD WINE alert. Although I may be overstating the case, there's no doubt that the following wine was the most disappointing I've experienced in many, many months. The label was attractive and appealing, designed by an artist specially recruited by the winery, and the tasting notes on the shelf label led me to believe it would be an interesting, good quality SB. At about $15 and hailing from Napa, how could I go wrong? Well, think again.
The aroma, a little fruity and citrusy, was pleasant enough, although the color left much to be desired - so pale and indistinct it reminded me of slightly dirty dish water. My first sip was such a let-down, I was almost ready to dump it down the drain right then and there (which I eventually did after a few glasses): sweet, bland, insipid, totally lacking in any of the crisp acidity usually associated with SBs and almost devoid of any finish. Indeed, after quaffing sufficient quantity to confirm my initial impression with my meal, I was left with a dull buzz and none of the delightful lingering sensations one equates with a fine wine and good food.
Now perhaps some will disagree with my assessment - indeed, it received a fair to good rating in some wine publications - but there are so many fine SBs out there, that it's not worth taking the chance. Buyer Beware!
2012 Mason Sauvignon Blanc (Caution: Bad Wine!)
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Whereas the Chalk Hill SB is a very lush, elegant, full-bodied wine which reflects a tasting profile tending towards the Chardonnay mode, the Justin Sauvignon Blanc, originating from Paso Robles along the Central Coast in California is classic New World style SB, featuring grapefruit and green apple aromas and that distinctive crisp acidity which makes the mouth pucker with delight. Fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks, It is a well-structured wine with mineral undertones that play against the array of fruit sensations such as white peach, lemon and lime with hints of lemongrass as well. This is a great wine to enjoy nicely chilled in the warm summer months either with seafood - calamari, shrimp and other shell fish - or on its own as an aperitif to whet the appetite. It's also rather strong in alcohol (14.5%), but I have to say that I really didn't notice any debilitating effects as I sampled a few glasses with a seafood salad. It's very well-balanced in terms of fruit-acidity-alcohol and offers pure drinking pleasure to the SB lover. Retailing at about $13, you'd be hard pressed to find a more delightful SB at this price point. (By the way, Justin makes a range of mid to high level reds that are worth checking out and that I plan to write about in a future post.)
http://www.justinwine.com/
Justin Sauvignon Blanc 2012
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