2023 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

2023 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

Illumination

Sauvignon Blanc
Napa/Sonoma 2023

2023 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

Quintessa, a renowned Rutherford producer, extends its meticulous craftsmanship to Sauvignon Blanc, crafting Illumination, a wine as exquisite as its flagship red. This luminous expression bursts with vibrant notes of passionfruit, white peach, orange blossom, and zesty tangerine, creating a captivating bouquet.

Rooted in a deep commitment to the environment, Quintessa selected specific blocks to cultivate thriving clonal varieties, capturing the essence of Napa and Sonoma’s diverse terroir. With the same precision that defines their renowned reds, Illumination is crafted from vines planted in 2002, resulting in a Sauvignon Blanc of exceptional character and depth.

The 2023 vintage marks a stellar year in Napa Valley. Abundant winter rains and moderate temperatures fostered an ideal growing season, culminating in the 2023 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc. This exceptional wine showcases Napa’s elegance and vitality, making it a true showstopper.

Illumination
Sauvignon Blanc
Napa/Sonoma 2023

Your Price: $59.99

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“The Illumination 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Napa Valley and Sonoma County to offer a balanced, vibrant bouquet of citrus and floral notes, including orange blossom, acacia, followed by a burst of lime zest, lemon, and a hint of grapefruit. On the palate, the wine is crisp and refreshing, with a touch of minerality reminiscent of wet stones. The acidity is well-balanced, leading to a lingering finish that reveals subtle notes of peaches and cream, and a delicate pastry dough character.”

95 Points

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyKevin VogtSauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

ZIALENA

SAUVIGNON BLANC
GEYSERVILLE 2022

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

Our tasting panel was immediately enamored by this wine and wondered how we’d never heard of it before. The winery sits on a 120-acre property in Alexander Valley that dates back to the early 1900s when Giuseppe Mazzoni immigrated from Carrara, Italy, and became a grape farmer and winemaker after joining the Italian Swiss Colony. 

The vineyards are situated in a prime location with exceptional terroir, including a combination of soil types, microclimates, and elevation changes that contribute to the unique characteristics found in Zialena wines.

The Winery is committed to sustainable farming practices and employs environmentally friendly methods in the vineyards, focusing on handcrafted, small-lot production wines. The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is the second vintage fermented in custom concrete eggs using the egg’s natural convection to stir the lees and create an elegant structure with a soft texture and ultimate concentrated flavor complexity.

ZIALENA
SAUVIGNON BLANC
GEYSERVILLE 2022

Your Price: $38

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“The Zialena 2022 Geyserville Sauvignon Blanc opens with beautiful aromatics, including elderflower, gardenia, ripe citrus and tropical fruits, and a creamy lemon custard. On the palate, the wine has zippy acidity balanced with concentrated flavors of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, passion fruit, melon, and wet stone minerality. The wine has a touch of creaminess on the mouthfeel and a long, dynamic finish.”

94 Point

2016 Chateau Haut Bergeron Sauternes (375ML)

2016 Chateau Haut Bergeron Sauternes (375ML)

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxFranceKevin VogtSauvignon Blanc

CHÂTEAU HAUT-BERGERON

2016 SAUTERNES (375ML)

2016 Chateau Haut Bergeron Sauternes (375ML)
Sauternais is a region inside the Graves section of Bordeaux that’s best known for producing Sauternes, sweet dessert wines made from botrytis affected Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle varieties. It’s arguably the most famous region in the world for white dessert wines, and they’ve been made there since the 17th century. The most celebrated of them all is Château d’Yquem, which can top $500 per bottle. Notably, some of Château Haut-Bergon’s parcels sit adjacent to d’Yquem, and at less than $40 for the 375ml bottle, this is an incredibly stunning Sauternes.
 
Château Haut-Bergeron is owned by one of the oldest families in Sauternes, with more than 200 years and nine generations of winemaking. Their Estate consists of 35 hectares of vines in Sauternes and 12 hectares in Graves. 
 
The 2016 release unites 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, which mirrors Château d’Yquem plantings. On the palate, the wine is graceful, rich and intense, and comes loaded with overripe apricot, nectarine, honey. If you’re searching for a brilliant Sauternes to add to your cellar, this is it.
 
CHÂTEAU HAUT-BERGERON
2016 SAUTERNES (375ML)
 
Your Price: $39.99
(375ML)
 
 
“Pitch-perfect Sauternes, with focused scents of ginger, marmalade, honey and Asian spices. Gorgeous candied apricot palate which is generous with its high quality oak, delivering creamy vanilla custard notes. Everything is In place here.”
96 Points, The Decanter World Wine Awards
 
“This is very serious for this producer with very pretty depth and intensity in terms of rich fruit and a long and intense finish. Excited about this wine.”
92-93 Points
 
“Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Haut-Bergeron has quite a savory nose of baker’s yeast, warm bread, fresh straw and fried spices over a core of lemon meringue pie, baked peaches and beeswax. The palate has wonderful restraint with bags of tightly wound nuances and fantastic freshness, finishing long and honeyed.”
92+ Points
 
“Hint of ginger and well integrated and lush. Streak of green. Needs quite a time. And overall a refreshing style of Sauternes.”
16+/20
2019 Laird Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

2019 Laird Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancUSA

LAIRD

2019 SAUVIGNON BLANC
NAPA VALLEY 

2019 Laird Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
There are many different styles of Sauvignon Blanc, from brightly focused, to silky and rich, with everything in between. Laird’s 2019 falls into the brightly focused category, but what puts this wine over the top in terms of quality/value was the remarkably concentrated fruit. Laird has their choice of premium vineyards, as one of Napa Valley’s preeminent farming families, and for this wine, they undoubtedly chose right…
 
Laird’s 2019 Sauvignon Blanc emanates from the winery’s Big Ranch Estate Vineyard, which is also home to Mario Andretti’s winery. Here, the gravel and silty clay loam soils, combined with the San Pablo Bay cooling influences, are ideal for ripening Sauvignon Blanc. 
 
Winemaker Brian Mox fermented 15% of the grapes sur lie, and in neutral oak barrels. The balance was fermented in stainless steel tank, preserving the brightly focused fruit, and the combination of the two methods creates a beautiful tension on the palate that’s simply irresistible.
 
LAIRD
2019 SAUVIGNON BLANC
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $30
 
Your Price: $26.99
 
“Inviting aromas of elderflower, passion fruit, melon, and Kefir lime lead the way to a medium-bodied white wine with a refreshing zing of bright acid, followed by flavors of white peach, Asian pear, and lemongrass. The well-balanced nature of this wine is evident in its soft, lingering finish.”
2019 Leto Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

2019 Leto Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaPope ValleySauvignon BlancUSA

LETO

SAUVIGNON BLANC
2019 NAPA VALLEY

2019 Leto Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Proprietor Brad Warner proves again that he’s got a talent for identifying vineyards capable of producing powerfully compelling, memorable wines. For his 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, he discovered a vineyard in Pope Valley, a remote, high-elevation region positioned behind Howell Mountain, that falls within the greater Napa Valley Appellation. The 2019 vintage is loaded with concentrated stone fruits and is finely sculpted and full of energy. With only 115 cases made, you might want to order yours before sharing…
 
The 2019 vintage arose from a single, high-elevation site in Pope Valley, where a dramatic diurnal temperature shift helped the fruit maintain natural acidity, but gain full ripeness. 
 
Once harvested, Brad fermented the juice at cool temperatures and aged it in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness. On the palate, it’s pristinely focused, alluring, and full of energy, and at $22, you should grab some while you can…
 
LETO
SAUVIGNON BLANC
2019 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $22
 
 
“Pale yellow robe. The bouquet fresh, with notes of white flowers and citrus fruit. The mouth dynamic, with crisp acidity and stone fruit. A pleasant finish.”
2019 Domaine Nicolas Gaudry Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France

2019 Domaine Nicolas Gaudry Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France

with No Comment $30 and underFranceKevin VogtLoire ValleySauvignon Blanc

DOMAINE NICOLAS GAUDRY

2019 POUILLY-FUME
LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE
(100% SAUVIGNON BLANC)

2019 Domaine Nicolas Gaudry Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France

The pinnacle of Sauvignon Blanc production comes from the iconic Loire Valley in France, and inside the Loire, the regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are foremost. Both Sancerre Blanc and Pouilly-Fumé are composed of 100% Sauvignon Blanc, but on the palate, Pouilly-Fumé can be more lush than Sancerre, and one hallmark is a subtle smoky, gunflint note, which is less common in Sancerre. One of the best examples of classic Pouilly-Fume is from Nicholas Gaudry, whose 2019 is ridiculously good. 
 
The Gaudry family has been making wine in Pouilly-sur-Loire for generations, and the wines offer a pure expression of Sauvignon Blanc. They vinify each plot separately and ferment them in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness. 
 
The wine team made the 2019 vintage in a bright, clean, energetic style that’s both dynamic and perfectly balanced. If you love Sauvignon Blanc, I highly recommend securing a case of brilliant Pouilly-Fumé. 
 
DOMAINE NICOLAS GAUDRY
2019 POUILLY-FUME
LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE
(100% SAUVIGNON BLANC)
 
Your Price: $29.99
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“Pale yellow robe. The bouquet fresh, with notes of white flowers and citrus fruit. The mouth dynamic, with crisp acidity and stone fruit. A pleasant finish.”
2018 Aimsfield Sauvignon Blanc Central Otago New Zealand

2018 Amisfield Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNew ZealandSauvignon Blanc

AMISFIELD 

2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
CENTRAL OTAGO | NEW ZEALAND 

2018 Aimsfield Sauvignon Blanc Central Otago New Zealand

Many countries have a signature grape varietal that separates them from the rest, and in New Zealand, that varietal is Sauvignon Blanc. It’s the Country’s most widely planted grape and accounts for around 70% of its total production. Wine lovers revere it for its bracing acidity, vibrant grapefruit, and herbaceous/floral aromas. The very name means “Wild White,” which perfectly coincides with the immense power of this noble variety. 
 
Amisfield is a brilliant example of classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with racy acidity, pink grapefruit, fresh lime, and herbaceous characteristics. Winery founder John Darby chose to plant his vineyard in Central Otago, after an exhaustive search for the best cool-climate terroir in New Zealand. 
 
The wine team harvested the fruit at the pinnacle of perfection to capture fully developed flavors and aromas. Each parcel was fermented separately, at cool temperatures, and in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness. If you’re looking for a vibrant and compelling white to have on your table this summer, this is it.
 
AMISFIELD 
2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
CENTRAL OTAGO | NEW ZEALAND
Retails at: $25
 
Your Price:  $22
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“Dry, bright, fresh and appealing sauvignon blanc with grapefruit, pineapple, chalky mineral and lime blossom flavours. An accessible wine with attractive purity and an ethereal texture… Drink 2019 – 2022”  93 Points
 
 
 
“This has ample lemon and grassy elements that deliver a very fleshy impression on the palate with bold, lime and lemon notes, as well as apples. Drink now. Screw cap.”  90 Points
2018 Leto Cellars Calistoga Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Leto Calistoga Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and underCalistogaKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancUSA

LETO

SAUVIGNON BLANC
2018 CALISTOGA 

2018 Leto Cellars Calistoga Sauvignon Blanc

Leto’s 2018 Sauvignon Blanc offers a vivid interpretation of Calistoga terroir, and they sourced the grapes from a tiny, dry-farmed vineyard, where winter rains are the sole source of irrigation. The vines yield just 1 and 3/4 tons per acre of pristine Sauvignon Blanc fruit, and the wine offers detailed lime peel, nectarine, grapefruit, and rocky minerals. At this price, one taste and you won’t LET it go.

Created by Brad Warner, the owner and winemaker who has been making wine for over a 1/2 century, Brad’s talent shows in this brilliant interpretation of Calistoga Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is remarkably intriguing, alluring, and full of life.

Leto’s 2018 Sauvignon Blanc is concentrated and inviting with sensational flavors spanning fresh lime, orchard fruits, citrus, white flowers, and rock minerals. The wine was fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness. With 84 cases produced, you might want to order yours before sharing this one…

LETO
SAUVIGNON BLANC
2018 CALISTOGA

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“Fresh and crisp, this Sauvignon Blanc is a delight. Aromas of pineapple and honeycomb in the glass followed by flavors of dried apricot and fresh nectarines.”  84 Cases Produced

2018 Capture Tradition Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Capture Tradition Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyKevin VogtSauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

CAPTURE

2018 TRADITION
SAUVIGNON BLANC

 

2018 Capture Tradition Sauvignon BlancCapture seized our attention more than a decade ago with their very first vintage, and we knew immediately that the brand was something special. At the time, the late Denis Malbec was the winemaker, and today they’re crafted by Winemaster Graham Weerts, who has extensive winemaking experience throughout Bordeaux and South Africa, as well as Stonestreet and Arrowood wineries in Sonoma County.
 
Capture Sauvignon Blanc has always stayed true to its traditions of crafting a Bordeaux-style Sauvignon Blanc that’s balanced, pure, rounded, and loaded with detailed stone fruits and earthy minerals.  
 
The winery’s decision to ferment in stainless steel and age the wine for ten months sur lie further highlights the purity of the fruit. The resulting wine is palate refreshing with finely sculpted flavors and energy. I highly recommend a case while supplies last.
 
CAPTURE
2018 TRADITION
SAUVIGNON BLANC
 
Your Price: $25
 
“Bordeaux-like with its crisp citrus, lemon, and white flower bouquet, the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Tradition is medium-bodied, vibrant and pure on the palate, with beautiful purity and freshness. It’s impeccably made and well worth drinking…” 91 Points
 
“The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Tradition comes 76% from Alexander Valley and 24% from Lake County, made in stainless steel with lees stirring. It offers gregarious scents of tarragon, chive and mown grass with kiwi, gooseberry, white peaches, flint and lychee notes. The palate is light-bodied and lively with pure fruits, bright acidity and a long, refreshing finish.”  90 Points
2018 Crocker & Starr Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Crocker & Starr AVA Nap Valley Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancUSA

CROCKER & STARR 2018 Crocker & Starr Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
AVA NAPA VALLEY

 
Of all of the Sauvignon Blancs produced in California, some of the most sought after are those made by Pam Starr.  Through her work at Spottswoode and her own label Crocker & Starr, she built her reputation as one of California’s top winemakers, with an emphasis on high quality Sauvignon Blanc.  Her new AVA Napa Valley white blend of Sauvignon Blanc, (formerly named Bridesmaid,) is an entry-level version of Crocker & Starr’s pricier Sauvignon Blanc, and at $24, it’s absolutely one of the best we’ve tasted this year.  The 2018 blend includes 6% Semillon, which adds a candied lemon element and contributes to a richer, more opulent texture.
 
The 2018 was founded around a collection of secret vineyards in St Helena, Rutherford and Calistoga, and spent 8 months in a combination of barrels, cement eggs and stainless tanks. On the palate the 2018 has copious energy and brilliant focus, with a light richness, superb acidity and lingering complexity.  If you’re searching for a delicious palate refreshing white to share with your friends and family this summer, this is it.
 
CROCKER & STARR
2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
AVA NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $23.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Vibrant and forward aromas of nectarine and lime blossoms set the expectation for the juicy, round and fresh flavors which are very true to the aromas. The addition of the Semillon brings a roundness to the more austere and citrusy Sauvignon blanc. This wine is so good!“
 
Customers who enjoy Crocker & Starr AVA Sauvignon Blanc, may also enjoy these two Sauvignon Blancs…
2017 Grey Stack Rosemary's Block Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Laird Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
GREY STACK
2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
DRY STACK VINEYARD
 
Your Price: $31.99/btl

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From The Wine Enthusiast:  “This block is home to a mysterious clone of Sauvignon Blanc that appears to be the only one of its kind in the region and thought to hail originally from Northern Italy. The resulting wine is citrus-driven on the nose and on the palate-a pure expression that shows complexity and rich layers of flavor, with an intensity of lemongrass.”  94 Points
LAIRD
2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $23/btl

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