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2006 Kirkham Peak Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

The Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough are easily the best values for the varietal in the world.

2006 Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

Marlborough is my second favorite region for Sauvignon Blanc (after France's Sancerre region).

2008 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

Jeff Hinchliffe, Hanna's winemaker, walked me through the stages of Sauvignon Blanc production as we sampled wine from the 2009 vintage at various stages of fermentation (pictured below).   This wine is special: the fruit was sourced from Forestville, Healdsburg, and Windsor sites, was fermented with wild yeasts, and 30% of the finished wine went through malolactic fermentation.   This combination of fruit clones, sites, and finishing-fermentation (and the associated soft edges and "buttery" finish) make for a rich experience on the palate.  The wine is very clear, the result of filtration and cold stabalization -- without sacrificing the depth of flavor on display here.   Yet more proof that the Russian River Valley may be the most complete or versatile wine growing region on the planet...   Wine & Spirits got behind this wine and that will make it tough to find at retail, but try it if you can find it!   $14; 92 points

2007 Voss Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford Estate Napa Valley

Most of the Napa Valley is just too hot to be an ideal growing climate for Sauvignon Blanc, but Voss manages to produce a more Loire-like wine -- consistently.   It's nice to have a 12.5% alcohol wine on a hot day (just make sure to drink water too)!   On the palate this wine shows crisp acids and dull honeysuckle & tropical fruits.    A can't miss wine for parties...  $16; 89 points

2005 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc St. Helena

Estate vineyard & winery.  Golden hay hued wine (slightly darker than most Sauvignon Blancs).  Dense fruit expression, with low acids. 87 points

 

2006 Husch Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino

Half-bottles are a great way to explore wines with minimal commitment, and I'm glad I gave this Husch Sauvignon Blanc from Mendocino a chance.

 

2006 Groth Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

I don't see too many synthetic bottle closures ("corks") anymore, but for large production whites like this Groth Sauvignon Blanc I guess it doesn't matter too much since these wines are not meant to be cellar aged.   In time, nearly all wines will be screw-cap -- but there will be holdout producers around the world that keep cork just as a novelty and tip of the hat to the past.    What is still not fully understood is the role that slow oxidization might play in helping to produce the secondary ageing characteristics of Bordeaux, for instance.   We don't know what a screw-cap 1st growth Bordeaux will develop into with 40 years in the cellar...

Groth is one of the few Napa sauvignon blancs that I look forward to drinking -- it is bone dry with bracing acids and tart lime fruit.   Excellent value:  $15; 89 points

2008 Mapema Sauvignon Blanc Mendoza

This wine from Mapema shows a floral nose, very light body, and nice acidity (although substantially lower than the acids in typical Sancerres or New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs).   The fruit expression is primarily white melon and jasmin with a touch of citrus -- but it's definately on the thin side of the flavor spectrum.    $14; 87 points

2007 Brogan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

Sauvignon Blanc is one of several ultra-rare bottlings from Margi Brogan's Brogan Cellars.    It is an unusual bottling because while the wine undergoes full malo, it is aged in neutral oak so it retains many of the flavor characteristics that make Sauvignon Blanc special:  citrus, white melon, and a crisp expression of these fruits through the finish.   This is a very special wine indeed; one of the best Sauvignon Blancs in Sonoma County.   $35; 93 points

2007 Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

This estate Sauvignon Blanc from Rochioli is one of their best bottlings.   Lip-smackling high-acids, yellow and white citrus.  $29; 92 points