 |
|
August 2006
Over the last twelve months,
Wine & Spirits tasted 195 American sauvignon blancs.
These 15 sauvignon blancs received the strongest praise from our critics.
|
|
Sauvignon Blanc
|
|
93
I J. Rochioli
|
$30
|
2005 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Old-vine sauvignon blanc is the jewel of the Rochioli estate-which consistently produces one of the top white wines of California. Tom Rochioli barrel ferments a portion of the wine to build richness and harmony into the pure, lime-scented fruit, the silken texture and the freshness, like a sea breeze carried upriver and captured by the vines. Invest in a case to serve with anything fresh from the sea. (4,250 cases)
(W&S 8/06) J. Rochioli Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA
|
|
|
|
92
I Cakebread
|
$21
|
2004 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
The zesty flavors of this sauvignon bring Asian foods to mind. Its acidity tickles the tongue like a shiso leaf; its firm, spicy fruit lasts with fresh lemon and lemongrass scents. Structured enough to mature for a year or two, but perhaps best now with a Thai crab salad.
(W&S 12/05) Cakebread Cellars, Rutherford, CA
|
|
|
|
92
I Cliff Lede
|
$18
|
2004 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
The fresh fruit rings clear in this sauvignon, building complexity in layers of lime, apple and pear flavors. The fresh preservation of the fruit of the grapes is impressive; delicious with a Vietnamese fish curry. (W&S 12/05) Cliff Lede Vineyards, Yountville, CA
|
|
|
|
92
I Ferrari-Carano
|
$16
|
2004 Sonoma County Fumè Blanc
The best vintage of Ferrari-Carano's Fumè Blanc in recent memory, this '04 is all about the fresh apple flavor of the fruit. There's a hint of wood spice, like nutmeg, and a honeycomb savor (55 percent of the lot is fermented in older French oak barrels). Through it, the fruit bristles with freshness and lasts. (W&S 10/05) Ferrari-Carano Winery, Healdsburg, CA
|
|
|
|
94
I J. Rochioli
|
$29
|
2004 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
This wine's complex earthiness and formidable weight is further enhanced by oak. The flavors of pear and orange blossom meld with the toastiness of lees aging, the wine still young and tight. Give this time in the bottle to develop; it will continue to gain complexity for several years. (2,265 cases) (W&S 10/05) J. Rochioli Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA
|
|
|
|
92
I Selene
|
$26
|
2005 Carneros Hyde Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Meyer lemon and fresh lime scents build into this wine's spicy citrus flavors to last, long and delicate. There's an undercurrent of wood spice that makes it feel firm. Decant a bottle for sautŽed sand dabs. (2,236 cases) (W&S 8/06) Selene Wines, Napa, CA
|
|
|
|
91
I Preston of Dry Creek
|
$80
|
2005 Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc
This hits the classical sauvignon character of gooseberries, along with a fresh scent of lemon verbena and thyme. A portion of the blend aged on its lees in French oak casks, which fattened it up, but the wine stays as clean and crisp as lemon ice. (1,600 cases) (W&S 8/06) Preston of Dry Creek, Healdsburg, CA
|
|
|
|
90
I Baccharis
|
$16
|
2004 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
The platinum color implies just how clean, fresh and brisk this wine will be. It's also round, spicy and lasting. Chill it for a composed salad of turkey and avocado. (1,140 cases) (W&S 4/06) Baccharis Winery, Sebastopol, CA
|
|
|
|
90
I Benziger
|
$27
|
2004 Sonoma Mountain Paradiso de Maria Sauvignon Blanc
The firm, mountain-grown power of this wine concentrates flavors of lemongrass, mint and orange water with bracing acidity. It's certified by Demeter. (337 cases) (W&S 10/05) Benziger Family Winery, Oakville, CA
|
|
|
|
90
I Gary Farrell
|
$25
|
2005 Sonoma County Redwood Ranch Sauvignon Blanc
This wine's broad leesiness feels like semillon, while the middle blasts citrus flavors more characteristic of sauvignon. It's big, fresh and clean, delicious with pan-fried halibut.
(W&S 8/06) Gary Farrell, Healdsburg, CA
|
|
|
|
90
I Green & Red
|
$20
|
2005 Chiles Vly. District Napa Vly. Catacula Vyd. Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh lemon flavors last, as do aromas of cut grass and roasted almonds, a combination of tart and broad for polenta with pecorino and mustard greens. (275 cases)
(W&S 8/06) Green & Red Vineyard, St Helena, CA
|
|
|
|
90
I Hanna
|
$17
|
2005 Russian River Valley Slusser Road Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Bright and clean, with scents of green melon edged with tart lime, this feels light and fresh. Delicious with roast sea trout or with saba sashimi.
(W&S 6/06) Hanna Winery, Santa Rosa, CA
|
|
|
|
90
I Huntington
|
$12
|
2004 Sonoma County Earthquake Sauvignon Blanc
This light sauvignon has a delicate figginess and a cool, spicy flavor that lasts. It's a clean, fresh white to chill for crab. (2,400 cases)
(W&S 10/05) Huntington Cellars, Graton, CA
|
|
|
|
90
I LinCourt
|
$16
|
2004 Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc
This barrel fermented wine seems blunt in its oak. But you can taste past the caramel and spice to clean, fresh flavors. It has a cool tone of tropical fruit, broad enough for braised veal. (806 cases)
(W&S 8/06) LinCourt Vineyards, Solvang, CA
|
|
|
|
90
I Sauvignon Republic
|
$18
|
2004 Russian River Vly. Sauvignon Blanc
This wine from the Russian River Valley tastes as cool as the region's morning fog, with gentle acidity lifting pear and habaĐero pepper flavors. Serve it with pan-seared trout.
(W&S 10/05) Sauvignon Republic Cellars, Graton, CA
|
|
|
|
|