If you enjoy the clean zippy taste of sauvignon blanc wines, you are not alone. Indeed, sauvignon blanc has been one of the fastest growing wine varieties in the U.S. market over the past several years, according to NielsenIQ. With its classic notes of grapefruit, passion fruit, and gooseberry, it is a popular wine for summer sipping, but also for food-pairing, due to its bright acidity.
But did you know that sauvignon blanc has an ancient heritage, and is actually the main variety in some of the world’s most expensive white wines? For example, Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley averages $4227 per bottle and Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Asteroide from the Loire, France averages $1780, according to Winesearcher.com.
However, the average selling price for sauvignon blanc wine is actually much lower. “The sweet spot for sauvignon blanc in the U.S. market is around $12 to $18 per bottle,” stated wine expert, Danny Brager, in an email interview. And many of those wines come from New Zealand, Chile, France, and California. These fruit-forward ‘savvys’ are designed for casual sipping by the pool or as a refreshing aperitif before a meal.
When it comes to a special occasion, or you just want to splurge on yourself, consider a more sophisticated sauvignon blanc that can be enjoyed with a gourmet meal, or as a special bottle to share with friends over appetizers. These wines usually come from very special vineyards, may have been aged in an oak barrel (usually neutral oak), and are age worthy.
Recently, I was able to sample seven sophisticated sauvignon blancs hailing from Napa Valley and Sonoma County. They are all tasting delicious now, with mouthwatering acidity, fresh fruit, and mineral notes, but can also be aged for 5 to 15 years, where they will take on even more complex flavors. (Most entry-level sauvignon blancs are designed to be consumed in 1 to 3 years.)
The seven sophisticated sauvignon blancs are listed in alphabetically order below, with average prices sourced from Winesearcher or winery websites. The article concludes with a paragraph identifying some other noteworthy sauvignon blancs to consider.
#1 Accendo Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Napa Valley, CA – Lovely floral and pear nose with hints of chamomile, followed by pear, kiwi, lime, and a hint of white pepper on the palate. Some complex mineral notes with a touch of salinity on the very long mouthwatering finish. Very well-balanced wine. Blended with small amounts of Semillon and Sauvignon Musque´ grapes, aged in used French oak barrels. ($73, 14.2% alcohol, 95 points)
#2 – Aperture Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Sonoma County, CA – An inviting nose of ripe pear, apple, and a hint of yellow grapefruit lead to a vibrantly high-acid palate with passion fruit, honeydew and wet stone notes. A perfect food pairing wine and very age worthy. Blended with 16% Semillon grapes, aged in used French oak barrels for 6 months. ($50, 13.9%, 94 points)
#3 – Dry Creek Vineyards DCV3 Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, CA – A crowd pleaser with an enticing nose of jasmine, meyer lemon, and passionfruit that carries through on the palate along with juicy grapefruit, lime, and a hint of complex herbs. From a special block in the DCV3 vineyard, this wine is very lively and vibrant. 100% sauvignon blanc and unoaked. ($32, 12.8%, 93 points)
#4 – Flora Springs Soliloquy 2022, Napa Valley, CA – For those who like a richer, riper style of savvy, this wine will do the trick. With a tantalizing floral nose of honeysuckle and pear blossom, this wine glides across the palate with rich creamy notes of lemon brulee, pear, and marshmallow – with just the right amount of lemon-lime acid to create a refreshing finish. 80% sauvignon and 10% each of chardonnay and malvasia. Aged 7 months in oak. ($70, 14.2%, 92 points)
#5 – Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc 2022, St. Helena, Napa Valley, CA – With a classic nose of gooseberry, grass and citrus, this wine is made in a lean refreshing style with tart grapefruit, lemon pith, and green apple on the palate. An extremely high acid – almost like champagne – will cut through most food and pair well with oysters. 100% sauvignon blanc, fermented and aged in used oak. Very age worthy. ($75, 13.5%, 93)
#6 – Stonestreet Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Aurora Point Vineyard, Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma County, CA – A very well-balanced wine with a vibrant nose of lemon, melon, and gooseberry. The palate explodes in flavors of lemon-lime, kiwi, and white peach with hints of lemon grass and wet stone. Pleasing textured palate due to lees stirring. 100% sauvignon blanc, aged 10 months in neutral French oak barrels. ($55, 13.5%, 94 points)
#7 – Valette Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Kick Ranch, Fountaingrove AVA, Sonoma County – With an intriguing nose of papaya, gooseberry and flint, this wine was designed to pair with food and is the brainchild of Valette Restaurant chef and owner, Justin Valette. Working with consulting winemaker Jesse Katz, they sourced this 100% sauvignon blanc wine from a special vineyard in the small Fountaingrove AVA. On the palate, the wine explodes with juicy white peach, grapefruit, and a creamy touch of lemon cream pie, with a savory note of straw on the finish. Aged in 30% new oak. ($37, 13.6%, 94 points)
Other High-End Sauvignon Blanc Wines to Consider
Other noteworthy and sophisticated sauvignon blancs to consider from Napa and Sonoma County include: Merry Edwards, Peter Michael, Eisele Vineyard, Dana, Realm, Cakebread, Lail, Rudd, Robert Mondavi To-Kalon, Cardinale, Melka Mekerra, Marciano, Morlet, and Kenzo.
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