Sauvignon Blancs For Summer

By Ken June 23, 2010

sauvignon blanc image The Sauvignon Blanc wine samples we received this year included two which were exceptional. Both are at a higher price point, but are definitely worth the investment. These wines were followed by four wines that scored 90 points. These are terrific options and they are very good values, given their quality and price points. Just behind those four wines were a group of Sauvignon Blancs that scored 89 points, just missing the elusive 90-point mark. All are Very Good wines and we encourage you to try them. We wrap up the recommendations with another group of Very Good offerings that either scored 88 or 87 points. We hope you enjoy these summer sippers-perfect for a hot day!

Merry_Edwards_2008_Sauvignon_Blanc This year’s undisputed winner was the 2008 Merry Edwards “Russian River Valley” Sauvignon Blanc which is a knockout. I could drink this wine all day long. This may be the best Sauvignon Blanc that I have covered in years. I was not alone with this thought. There were several tasters that agreed! It is medium-bodied, very well balanced, and creamy. Its flavor profile is a delicious complex blend of light lime and mild green melon with a touch of oak and mild grapefruit. It is just wonderful. It smoked all the other Sauvignon Blancs this year with a 95 point score. It will cost you a little bit more than you would probably normally pay for a Sauvignon Blanc at $30 per bottle but this is not your typical Sauvignon Blanc. You have to try some to understand what I mean.

Joseph_Phelps_2008_Sauvignon_Blanc Our second place finisher is no slouch either. The 2008 Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc from St. Helena scored 92 points. It is medium-bodied, balanced, and slightly viscous with some mild acidity. We were enamored by its tasty and complex blend of pear and green apple flavors with a touch of lemon mixed in as well. The group thought this Sauvignon Blanc would appear to Chardonnay drinkers. It costs $32 per bottle, but it is pretty impressive!

Chateau-Ste-Michelle-2009-Horse-Heaven-Sauvignon-Blanc The next 4 offerings all scored 90 points. The first two will be easier to find as they are made by “the big boys.” While the last two are smaller production offerings, that are definitely worth seeking out. The first one I want to tell you about is the 2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle “Horse Heaven Vineyard” Sauvignon Blanc for $15. This wine hails from Washington State and consistently shows well every year. I described this year’s version as “New Zealand meets Sancerre in Washington.” That is because it shows similar characteristics to wines from those regions, like the very attractive pink grapefruit bouquet which we usually see from New Zealand, or the mineral-infused lime flavors that we typically see from Sancerre. Wrap it all up and we have a very pleasant Sauvignon Blanc offering from Washington. Try a bottle soon, and you will likely buy a case to enjoy by the pool this summer.

Next up is the 2008 Kendall Jackson “Grand Reserve” Sauvignon Blanc for $20. This wine is the “big brother” of the “Vintner’s Reserve” mentioned below. It displays the typical fragrant grapefruit and gooseberry bouquet along with the pleasant grapefruit and lime blend of flavors. We really enjoyed how well this wine balanced its acidity and fruit. It would be perfect with a lemon drizzled swordfish steak off the grill.

The next offering is the 2008 St. Supery “Dollarhide Limited Edition” Sauvignon Blanc for $37. It was the perfect wine to enjoy when I was at the winery on a hot Napa afternoon last summer. It displayed gentle, yet crisp acidity along with ripe grapefruit flavors. There was also a touch of lime mixed into this very refreshing offering. I am certain you will enjoy it.

Newport_2008_Sauvignon_Blanc The last 90-point Sauvignon Blanc I want to share with you might surprise you, but if you have been following my recommendations over the years you will know that I am very found of Newport Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. Their 2008 vintage for $14 is a steal. This is a terrific Sauvignon Blanc. I think the 2008 might even be their best one yet, but I scored the 2006 90 points as well. The 2008 is light-bodied, balanced, and a little lively with a mix of very tasty off-dry citrus flavors. We detected mild lemon, light apricot, and pear peaking through. If you are visiting Newport, Rhode Island this summer, find a bottle of this gem to enjoy at the beach.

Kendall-Jackson-2008-Vintners-Reserve-Sauvignon-Blanc The next group of Sauvignon Blancs all scored 89 points and are Very Good. Each wine brings out above average characteristics that you expect from this grape. The 2008 Kendall Jackson “Vintners Reserve” Sauvignon Blanc is the “little sister” to the “Grand Reserve” listed above. Kendall Jackson makes a lot more of this wine and it is $8 cheaper at $12. All you give up is a point so it is definitely worth a try. It displays a slightly viscous and round mouthfeel. Its flavor profile is a mild lime and tangerine blend with gently infused minerality and a touch of acidity. We thought it was very refreshing and would be a perfect summer wine. The consensus was that this offering would really appeal to readers who like a little more body and a little less acidity in their Sauvignon Blanc.

Next up is a long time favorite of Ken’s Wine Guide. The 2009 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand is consistently Very Good every year. This year’s version costs $19 and opens with a fragrant grapefruit and lime-like bouquet with a hint of wet stone. It is also a bit more lively than past vintages with a zesty lime flavor profile with hints of minerality and mild grapefruit. It is always a popular choice in the summer. Staying in New Zealand, I tried the next wine while I was in China. The 2008 Mt Riley Sauvignon Blanc for $17 opens with an attractive lime and mild yellow grapefruit bouquet. I enjoyed its light body. Its flavors were a slightly racy lime with a touch of minerality mixed in. I thought it would be perfect for steamed mussels in a garlic broth.

Hippolyte-Reverdy-2008-Sancerre The next two recommendations are from Europe. We enjoyed the 2008 Hippolyte Reverdy “Sancerre” at Meritage in the Boston Harbor Hotel. It was light-bodied, balanced, and mouthwatering. Its gentle lime flavors with notes of minerality were very refreshing. We were also pleasantly surprised by how its aftertaste lingered for quite some time. We thought this wine was very food-friendly and would pair particularly well with lemon drizzled swordfish steak. From there we move south to Alto Adige, Italy. We tried the 2008 Tramin “Sauvignon” for $17. Like the Hippolyte it is a very nice food wine, light-bodied and zesty. We enjoyed its mineral infused tart lime flavors with a touch of pear. It would pair quite well with a herb-roasted chicken.

Yorkville-Cellars-2008-Sauvignon-Blanc The last three 89 pointers come from 3 very different California regions. The first offering is a certified Organic Sauvignon Blanc from Yorktown Cellars up in the Yorkville Highlands. The 2008 “Randle Hill” Sauvignon Blanc only costs $14. I served it at a “Green Party” on St. Patrick’s Day. It was a big hit. The crowd enjoyed its light body and equal balance between its acidity and fruit. Everyone liked its Anjou pear and lime flavors. This wine had the most empty bottles when that event was over. Heading further south, we tasted the 2008 Peju Sauvignon Blanc from the Napa Valley. It was light-bodied, slightly acidic, zesty and crisp with mineral-infused lime flavors. It was nicely refreshing and food-friendly. We thought it would pair well with grilled swordfish drizzled with a lemon butter sauce. The last highlighted offering comes from the Santa Ynez Valley in California. The 2009 Beckmen “Estate” Sauvignon Blanc for $16 was medium-bodied, very nicely balanced, and easy to drink. Its tasty mild green pear flavors with notes of minerality were very enjoyable. Our mini group thought it would pair well with chicken and wild mushroom ravioli smothered in a brown butter sauce.