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Sauvignon Blanc - Top Wines
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2009 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 13.5%
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2008 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 13.5%
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2009 Decoy Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 13%
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2009 Benziger Family Sauvignon Blanc 13.5%
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2009 Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 13%
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2007 Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Estate Fume Blanc DCV3 13.5%
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2009 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc Sonoma County 13.9%
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2009 Fortress Red Hills Lake County Musque Clone Sauvignon Blanc 14.2%
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2009 Twomey Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 13.9%
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2007 Dry Creek Vineyard Taylor’s Creek Musque Sauvignon Blanc 14.5%
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2009 Girard Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 13.9%
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2008 Flora Springs Soliloquy Vineyard Oakville – Napa Valley 14.2%
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View All 21 Wines Tasted
Comments
Didn't realize that Snooth was an such advocate for the California wine industry.
While I do like California wines, there is a very nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc called Oyster Bay.
It was rated within the last 2 years very highly by Wine Spectator.
Everyone I have introduced it to concurs.
Oct 07, 2010 at 11:45 AM
r
Here are the best Sauvignon Blancs as per the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc http://schiller-wine.blogspot.com/2...
Oct 07, 2010 at 12:03 PM
Dry Creek Vineyard has always had decent Sauvignon Blancs. I have also enjoyed their under-appreciated and very affordable dry chenin blanc.
Oct 07, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Must also add; Why only California??
Oct 07, 2010 at 12:26 PM
While my wife and I are pretty much only red wine advocates, we've found a Sauvignon Blanc in the Central Coast of CA that we think ranks as some of the best we've had. That is, Happy Canyon from Fiddlehead wineries in Lompoc. Nice, dry white that pairs well with so many dishes. You want to give them a try.
Oct 07, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Can you say Kim Crawford
Oct 07, 2010 at 1:01 PM
What happened to the rest of the world SB? New Zealand, etc.
Oct 07, 2010 at 1:26 PM
I think Veramomonte from Chili makes an interesting Sauv Blanc
Oct 07, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Dal Piaz
The rest of the world is coming! Sorry if anyone feels slighted but this is just the way this worked out. I love Sauvignon Blanc from almost every corner of the globe so reviews of wines from as far afield as new York and New Zealand are in the works!
Oct 07, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Why does all the wines mentioned here have above 13% alc? I believe many SB's can be found in the more nicely placed 10-12% range (sorry cant give any examples at the moment).
Oct 07, 2010 at 1:51 PM
I am baffled by your selection of California sauvignon blancs. I've had several that you've cited and regularly opt for wines from New Zealand which are frequently superior wines as well as better values.
Oct 07, 2010 at 1:53 PM
ke
Where's the classics??? Groth, Cakebread, Provenance ???
Oct 07, 2010 at 1:56 PM
I'm baffled by your selection of California sauvignon blancs. I've had several of these wines but frequently opt for selections from New Zealand which are often superior wines and better values.
Oct 07, 2010 at 1:56 PM
ke
I have grown tired of NZ with their overwhelming gooseberry, grapefruit, leeche and lime characteristics. No question NZ is extremely popular and good values, I just don't like their flavor profiles compared to California.
Oct 07, 2010 at 2:16 PM
I find Sauvignon Blanc so extremely versatile. And what makes it even more interesting are the styles you can achieve from the same vineyard / vintage just by choosing the desired picking date or doing a totally different style of vinification. So if you don't like the too intense gooseberry, grapefruit flavours...
Well selling our NZ Sauvignon Blancs to our German market makes us think about it all... so we changed to a totally different style... and also ended at over 14% vol...
I actually don't find the alc. levels of tasted wines here too high... It's all about balance and structure... and if you've got a really good one... enormous shelf life :-)
Oct 07, 2010 at 2:33 PM
ke
I'll take a SB over a CH any time !!!
Oct 07, 2010 at 2:41 PM
It's the Loire Valley or bust for me...the true benchmark for all SB's!
Oct 07, 2010 at 3:24 PM
Suggest u taste Diemersdal SB , South Africa...........................
Oct 07, 2010 at 3:27 PM
Let's please not forget the exceptional Sauvignon Blancs from Friuli...world class!
Oct 07, 2010 at 3:31 PM
mind
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
Oct 07, 2010 at 3:35 PM
I've had several SB's from the list and agree , they are great. I also question the geography. Washington state has some great SB's. Kestrel is one source that has a super SB.
Oct 07, 2010 at 3:44 PM
Try the 2009 Raymond Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. It's been my summertime favorite this year, and a great value at $15 per bottle.
Oct 07, 2010 at 3:49 PM
I enjoy SB from everywhere. It is consistently good, interesting, pairs well with food or by itself, and is a good value.
I agree that Calfornia SB tends to be a little more restrained than its NZ counterparts, which I like most -- but not all -- of the time.
But I too prefer red wines, with SB being my go to white wine. Isn't it odd that many red wine afficiandos tend to like SB if they are choosing a white wine. At least I find that to be true. I wonder why that is?
Oct 07, 2010 at 3:55 PM
Fortes
I also did not know that Snooth advocates California..............South African makes incredible Sauvignon Blanc at great prices and of course New Zealand...............no wood - there is nothing to hide, just pure Sauvignon Blanc, crisp and fresh - out of stainless steel!
Neil, Wine Guru Selections, Canada
Oct 07, 2010 at 4:06 PM
Good observation from PRElliotti. Had not thought about it but is certainly true for me; when I drink white wines, SB is my first choice.
Oct 07, 2010 at 4:08 PM
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, great wine, about $15.
California Sauvignon Blanc, average wine, about $25.
You choose!
Oct 07, 2010 at 4:17 PM
Agree with the other on wondering why only california.
There is a fantastic Sauvignon Blanc from NZ called Nobilo.
Really fruit forward and crisp. delicious.
Oct 07, 2010 at 4:42 PM
1040
I live and work in the vineyards in Marlborough, NZ but I am from Charlotte, NC. I have tried many sav's from everywhere and while the sav from cali is drinkable it will never compare to a french or NZ sav.
Oyster Bay is one square kilometre under roof and has 21 million litres in tank that they only use 5 labels for. Their marketing is amazing. Kim Crawford is another big one seen in the states which is better than OB if you can find.
The best most available sav in the US though, in my opinion, is Saint Clair. They have a varied range of sav's because of their production. They ferment every 'parcel' (137) of sav separately and then blend or bottle their 'Pioneer Blocks'. The reserves and Pioneer Blocks are worth the extra couple dollars but you will not be disappointed with all of their labels.
Keep buying NZ wine!!!
Oct 07, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Obviously few hit the read the article link and actually read the full text of the article where you clearly stated that "...THIS tasting focused on California versions".... Anyway, I agree with FineWineMike on Provenance and Cakebread - both great. NZ's are wonderful - Lawson's Dry Hills, Huia and Spy Valley my personal favorites. Matua's Paretai is great.
Oct 07, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Ti Point at $7.99 from COSTCO is excellent and one of the best bangs for the buck around. The bad part is that it sells out too fast.
Oct 07, 2010 at 5:22 PM
I understand that France, South Africa, Chile & even New Zealand make some pretty good Sauv Blanc .... cheers
Oct 07, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Martin
Even if it's now planted in many of the world's wine regions, Sauvignon Blanc originates from the Bordeaux and Loire regions in France.
In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is especially grown in the maritime climate of Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves and Pessac-Leognan as a dry wine.
Along with Sémillon, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc is one of only white grapes allowed in the production of white Bordeaux AOC.
Have a look at at one of the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Gold Medal:
Château Les Vergnes blanc sec 2009, A.O.C. Bordeaux
http://www.snooth.com/wine/chateau-...
Cheers!
Oct 07, 2010 at 5:32 PM
Norbury
It's almost impossible to find a bad Marlborough, NZ SB. Here in Holland we pay something like US$8 per bottle - particular good ones are:
- Montana
- Yealand
- Flaxbourne
Oct 07, 2010 at 5:44 PM
They must not have tried the Cade Sauvignon Blanc. It's a little pricey $25 but the finest things in life are like that..:)
Oct 07, 2010 at 5:51 PM
I love Groth and Peju!!
Oct 07, 2010 at 6:00 PM
So far, I've only found one white I really like, Winterhawk White, which is a "Heinz 57" of a blend. Sadly, they only made 70 cases and it is gone now. I only have a case to last me until next year.
The quest continues...
Oct 07, 2010 at 7:07 PM
IMO Loire Valley is by far the best. Where are the French wines on this list?
Oct 07, 2010 at 7:16 PM
caputo
LOVE OYSTER BAY BUT WHITE HAVEN IS STILL MY FAVORITE IF YOU CAN FIND IT ENJOY
Oct 07, 2010 at 9:09 PM
The late great William F. Buckley said it best, "California white wines are either prohibitively expensive or prohibitively awful. There is nothing worse than attending a party and asking for nice white wine and seeing that giant jug pulled out and held over a defenseless glass." New Zealand and the Casablanca Valley in Chile make some incredible Sav Blancs and they are basically free. South Africa makes nice stuff too with a green pepper overtone.
On NZ - I'm seeing several offer up Oyster Bay and White Haven - both are fine. I really like The Rock, Spy Valley, Starbourough, and Matua. All have a great exotic fruit aroma that goes much deeper than the grapefruit of White Haven. The taste continues the refreshing grassy, minerally base with pineapple/passionfruit/lime overtones. All are $12-$20
Chile - Veramonte can be found anywhere for $10 and is tasty. The owner there also has Quintessa in the US. If you find wine from a winery called Emiliana down there it is great. They make a few different levels but I found all to offer great flavor, aroma, and low price.
Oct 07, 2010 at 9:49 PM
I really like Auxerrois from Northern Michigan. To me it's like "Old World" Sav. Blanc, but it is local. Favorite - by Bel Lago. This wine just FANTASTIC!
Oct 08, 2010 at 12:52 AM
Hi,
There is an even better New Zealand wine than Osyter Bay, It is Blind River and a beautiful wine, they also produce a marvellous Pinot Noir. Truly great wines both of them.
Oct 08, 2010 at 1:44 AM
I guess all this discussion would have been easier if the title would have been.
"Californian Sauvignon Blanc - Top Wines"
Now as there are so many comments promoting mass-production low price Sauvignon Blanc....
Is there anybody who can recommend one with aging potential? 10years+
Has anybody got experience with such old Sauvignon Blancs?
Oct 08, 2010 at 6:06 AM
pson
Dear Johner: I would not try aged sauvignon blanc unless it was mixed up with Semillon, as in expensive white bordeaux such as Graves and Pessac Leognan. This combination can be very exciting, but I would be leery of bottles under $20, and want a vintage now of 2007 or earlier, as it will be developing the full gamut of flavours, slightly rich like cheese but spicy and long as it goes down the thoroat
On pure sauv blancs, those from Fruili and N Italy will possibly last a third year as they have a bit of extra complexity. Also some from Languedoc (or 'Oc) in southern France will make it that far.
But hey, all this California wine is not as available in the rest of the World as it is in USA - so it is nice to see internationalist americans recommending the competition
Oct 08, 2010 at 8:54 AM
Hi William,
thanks for your reply! But it implicates that there seems to absolutely no winery in the world that can produce such a thing??? This summer i had to send some of our old SauvBlancs to a group of Sommeliers in Munich... They just loved them... :-)
Cheers
Patrick
PS... Germany also has some unknow jewels...
http://www.best-of-wine.com/grand-p...
Oct 08, 2010 at 10:35 AM
forbes
I find part of the appeal of SB is the great range it shows depending on the region; how many varietals range from lush and tropical (Napa) to withering tartness (NZ)? However, if there is a better expression of it than in Sancerre, I have yet to discover it.
Oct 08, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Agree with aylwin-forbes that Sancerre embodies the best balance of all the styles of SB. Unfortunately, can't find it for less than $20-25. NZ definitely offers the best value in my book. Just got back from a vacation in South Africa, and had some pretty good SB there, including a suprisingly good one on the plane (SA Airlines) in economy! Wish I could remember the name. One revelation from this trip was how reasonably-priced the wines are in the restaurants there -- typical markup over retail was about 50%, compared to the ridiculous 200% or more you see in this country (US).
Oct 09, 2010 at 3:22 PM
If you can find it, Grey Stack Bennett Vally SB -- wonderful stuff!
Oct 10, 2010 at 1:12 PM
chevalier
....hy Greg did you find anything intresting in Italy for wath concern Sauvignon?..
Oct 11, 2010 at 1:58 PM
Dal Piaz
Haven't had too many Italian Sauvignon Blanc. Depoli's Voglar is one of my favorites though and I always have liked Livio Felluga's version.
What can you suggest?
Oct 11, 2010 at 2:33 PM
chevalier
Castello di spessa
Villa russiz
San michele appiano
Venica e venica
Vie di romans
Valle
Le Vigne di Zamò
Cantina Terlano
These are the names of the producers, many of them make 2 Sauvignon, 1 is the top quality....guess wich one?!?!?!...the most uneconomical....
Oct 11, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Ricky
How about the moderately priced, Nobilo, Icon Series, SB's? ...or even Whitehaven for that matter!
Oct 12, 2010 at 2:29 PM
chevalier
....sorry from this side of the ocean we don't know so much about wines coming from outside europe....it's rare to find american or new zealand or other wines, in shops and also there are few tasting.....thats wy i'm trying to learn something reading this kind of articles...
Oct 12, 2010 at 4:04 PM
....JACKSON ESTATE - New Zealand for me ... one of the best ! ;)
Oct 13, 2010 at 3:29 PM
chevalier
thanks next job is find it...
Oct 13, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Sorry, english isn't my mother tongue.
I think cat's pee is a mistake, I agree a little flavour of tomato leaf only a bit, but I cannot drink cat's pee. I love Siormeni, Sauvignon doc friuli by Gigi Valle.
Oct 13, 2010 at 4:57 PM
chevalier
eheh somebody discovered that Friuli sauvignon aren't so bad...
Cat's pee dipend on how mature it's the grape. now to keep some flavoures you have to get the grapes early, but you also get "that taste", so you go for a complete maturation...and you loose some flavoures...solution is half earvest early and Half at complete maturation...
anyway it's not so simple as you can understand....
..as you can see ...
english isn't (also)my mother tongue.
Oct 13, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Dal Piaz
Ciao Guiseppe.
Ho piaciuto il vostro sito internet! Sei a Padova? Arrivero in Italia fra un mese. Devo andare primo nel Puglia, e poi c'e due giorni in tranasito da Bari a Trentino, dove ho parenti.
I think one of the biggest factors is also leaf cover. More leaf pulling allowing more light to shine on the grapes reduces the level of pat's pee.
Oct 13, 2010 at 5:41 PM
chevalier
Saluto anche io il Sig. Giuseppe sperando di incontrarlo prima o poi ..nn su internet ma magari qui a milano in qualche degustazione.
Buona Notte...
PS Greg , it' s a long trip from bari to trentino, take it easy, meanwhile you're there, try Feudi San Marzano Primitivo Sessantanni...
Oct 13, 2010 at 6:15 PM
1982
I agree with several other postings that to have an article headed 12 top SBs without mentioning New Zealand's best is Hamlet without the prince(s). Here in London many wine writers agree that NZ produces the best in the world, overall. These include Villa Maria (especially single vineyards) Isabel Estate, Jackson Estate, Astrolabe, Lawsons Dry Hills, Nautilus, St Clair, Seresin, Spy Valley, Vavasour and of course, the most iconic SB in the world, Cloudy Bay. Incidentally, as a wine writer I interviewed Kevin Judd the chief winemaker there until recently, and he told me that he had decided to stop adding semillon in the early days as he felt it was better without it, and that, if he had to choose, he'd prefer the CB chardonnay to the SB! Wayne de Nicolo
Oct 14, 2010 at 2:50 PM
Skeen
Excellent choices of SB guys, but Mondavi is laughing all the way to the bank after changing their labels . ... from Sauvignon Blanc to Fume Blanc
Wines not bad either!!
Belize-Merv.
Oct 15, 2010 at 5:59 PM
and believe it or not Joseph Phelps!
Oct 20, 2010 at 1:11 PM
I'm missing the wonderful Sauvignons from Styria/Austria, you should try some, like Sattlerhof, Hannes Sabathi, Polz, Tement, Jaunegg, Riegelnegg etc.
Greets
Helmut O. Knall
wine-times.com
Oct 21, 2010 at 1:51 PM
76
How can a discussion about Sauvignon (Blanc, Gris) not include Merry Edwards? She genetically developed her own Sauvignon clone! What about Honig? Peter Franus? Cliff Lede? And, more of a newcomer, Star Lane? And, don't even get me started on Joullian from Carmel Valley.
From Italy, the Venica and Venica is fantastic. Movia's Sauvignon presents a flavor profile I have never experienced in wine.
Oct 23, 2010 at 4:33 AM
DOG
FROM SMILING DOG
Snooth really jeopardizes its reputation and looks like a California shill by publishing such a trash article. Listen to the other more experienced bloggers who took you to task. The California SB's I've tasted would rate a score of 83 of compared with most NZ SB's
Oct 24, 2010 at 9:54 PM
Fortress Sauv. Blanc is amazing....I can't believe such a small production outfit found it's way into your line-up, with such industry giants. They also have a lovely late harvest Semillion.
Oct 27, 2010 at 7:28 PM
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