Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2011

Strong nose of grass, lemon and gooseberry. Nice passionfruit, grass, hay, florals and lemon peel on the palate. Cleansing acidity, it's crisp and nice. - Marché Bacchus 10/9/10

Actually, 2.5+ stars. Color, this wine lacks that (sauvignon-blancy) color. It is cloudy, not very clear, almost seems like unfiltered, not very appealing color. On the nose, a LOT of carrots dominating, yes carrots! Also there is some apricot that is still vibrant in here, some barnyard smell, yes! There are also some eucalyptus and some (weird) flours, grassiness, some minerality, a little bit awkward for sauvignon blanc! Midpalate, barnyardy!, crushed carrots, apricot, a hint of earthiness, minerality, considerably full body. Finish, I am having some awkward finish, some wood, earthiness, the carrots and barnyard are still vibrant, balanced and round, lingering, a little (very little) hint of lime. Overall, this is a good demonstration of why I always say California is not the place that you'd consider at the first place for sauvignon blanc! This wine tastes (almost) nothing like sauvignon blanc. Yes, it is balanced, round, and has a lingering finish, but still not (sauvignon blancy). Bottled at 14.5%, which is extremely high for a sauvignon blanc! I am 86 on this effort. In two years this may get 86+ points. Happty drinking!

When you are only allowed to bring 2 bottles back into Canada and one of them turns out corked, it pisses you off.

Served a little cold, but here are my impressions: lots of grass on the nose, there are also notes of limes and other citrus. In the mouth there's more grass with a core of underlying minerality, almost chalky in nature. Peaches come forth on the finish.

Good fruity nose, solid body with light grape/citrius fruit, nice rolling crisp acidic finish. Went very well with seafood!

A nice, clean, fruity wine. Paired well with salmon.