When it comes to white wines from California, Chardonnay casts a long shadow over practically every other type of wine.
What a shame.
There are so many other great California white wines out there.
And if there’s one type of wine in particular that deserves far more attention, it’s Sauvignon Blancs from the Golden State.
I’ve long been a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc wines. They’re often drier and crisper than many other white wines. I especially enjoy Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand, where the wines have a delightful, fresh cut grass flavor and aroma that seems to perfectly capture the essence of spring and summer in a bottle. New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are also some of the best bargains around. Many great ones cost less than $12 a bottle.
Recently, I tasted several California Sauvignon Blancs. I will admit I was bit skeptical at first since some California winemakers seem obsessed with adding oak and butter flavors to their wines. Thankfully, the California Sauvignon Blancs I tasted thoroughly impressed me with their crisp, refreshing flavors and finish.
I liked two California Sauvignon Blancs so much I went in search of more great ones from California and accidentally veered a little north as well.
This week, you can read about six subtle, refined Sauvignon Blancs from California, plus one from Washington. They range in price from $9 to $32 a bottle. Let me add they’re just the tip of the iceberg. There’s many more outstanding Savignon Blancs from California and beyond just waiting to be discovered. Hope you enjoy.
WINES RECOMMENDED THIS WEEK
2020 Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc ($8.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)
2020 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County ($12.99 at Table & Vine)
2020 Justin Sauvignon Blanc Central Coast ($14.99 at Table & Vine)
2019 Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley ($14.99 at Table & Vine)
2020 Chateau St. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley (Washington State) ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
2020 Gamble Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($28 Suggested Retail Price)
2018 Stags’ Leap Winery Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley ($32 SRP)
WINE TASTING NOTES
2020 Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes - This wine hits all the right notes - tastes great, made with organic grapes and costs less than $10 a bottle. What more could you ask for? Its flavors and aromas have a bright, light, clean finish - the fresh cut grass notes you often find with many Sauvignon Blancs, mixed with hints of vibrant, ripe fruit flavors and a touch of green apple. An absolute winner at an amazing price.
2020 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County
Tasting Notes - This elegant, refined wine has long been an affordable favorite of mine from California’s Sonoma County. The finish and flavors on this wine are soft and subtle. There’s a distinct green apple and almond flavor and aroma, but it’s not overpowering or intense. It’s has just the right balance and complexity, making this wine an ideal choice for enjoying on a hot, lazy summer afternoon.
2020 Justin Sauvignon Blanc Central Coast
Tasting Notes - One of my favorite California wineries, Justin’s Sauvignon Blanc has a wonderful blend of a wide range of flavors - fresh, ripe green apple mixed with a slight, subtle tartness and a hint of sea salt. Let me add that like other Justin wines, the flavors here are soft, understated and speak in a whisper rather than a roar. A really wonderful wine at an affordable price.
2019 Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Tasting Notes - Charles Krug winery has a long, well-earned reputation (the winery was founded in 1882) for making well-balanced, affordable wines. This crisp, dry, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc is no exception. This flinty, white wine has the most mineral like finish of the wines recommended this week. There are also soft butter flavors with hints of sea salt and a dash of butter.
2020 Chateau St. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley (Washington State)
Tasting Notes - I will admit I brought my wrong glasses into the store and mistakenly bought this wine thinking it was from California instead of Washington State. I’m glad I made such a mistake. This wine has a crisp, clean, slightly tart finish with hints of fresh picked green apple. Let me add this wine is slightly sweet but not overpowering. A delicious wine at a great price.
2020 Gamble Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes - This wine and the next one are the ones that inspired me to write this week’s wine column and search for more California Sauvignon Blancs. I just love this wine’s subtle, light, well-rounded flavors and aromas - which range from a dash of fresh cut grass to hints of melted butter and sea salt. Let me add this wine tastes great with seafood or perfect on its own.
2018 Stags’ Leap Winery Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Tasting Notes - Stags’ Leap Winery consistently produces outstanding wines with a clean, bright finish that emphasizes the grapes’ flavors and the uniqueness of the soil. (The opposite is wines with overpowering oaky flavors and other tricks employed by some winemakers in an attempt to hide flaws.) This beautiful, understated wine has a light, crisp dry finish with hints of fresh cut grass. An absolutely pleasure to drink.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s weekend section every Thursday.
(Older “Wine Press” articles can be found here.)
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June 22, 2021 at 12:06AM
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