The SOMM Journal

February / March 2017

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28 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 { the view from blue } DOMESTIC Galerie Wines 2015 Naissance Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ($30) Fresh and graceful with tangy acidity and precise fruit; bright and nicely balanced. 91 JACKSON FAMILY WINES Gamble Family Vineyards 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ($25) Sleek citrus and spice flavors; bright and clas- sic with hints of spice and oak; subtle, long and elegant. 92 Grieve Family Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ($30) Smooth, ripe and lush with deep peach fruit and lovely texture; from the undiscovered Lovall Valley of Napa; an exceptional effort. 93 Kenefick Ranch 2015 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, West Palisade Range, Napa Valley ($24) Bright, mouth-filling flavors; generous, rich and intense with lovely balance and finesse; minerals, spice and citrus notes; racy and com- plete—the full package. 93 Merry Edwards 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley ($34) Rich flavors of dense fruit, spice and creamy texture; deep and juicy with nice depth and excellent balance. 92 Pepper Bridge Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Walla Walla Valley ($36) Deep with rich, intense flavors of ripe, precise fruit; another masterwork by Norm McKibben and Jean-François Pellet. 93 Rodney Strong Wine Estates 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Charlotte's Home Vineyard, Northern Sonoma ($17) Bright, juicy and fresh with lovely style, tangy acidity and crisp with lively tropical fruit: clean, pure and balanced. 92 Sidebar Cellars 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, High Valley ($20) Silky and bright with tangy citrus and crisp acidity; very balanced on the long finish; this is Dave Ramey's value-packed second label. 91 RAMEY WINES Stonestreet 2015 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley ($35) Smooth, lush and deep with classic flavors and lovely texture; ripe, juicy and long. 92 JACKSON FAMILY WINES FRANCE Château Malartic-Lagravière 2015 Blanc, Grand Cru Classé de Graves, France ($50) Crisp and elegant with racy citrus and complex minerals; deep, balanced, classic and impressive. 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Sémillon. 93 MULTIPLE IMPORTERS Domaine Laporte 2015 Sancerre Le Rochoy, France ($33) Silky, fresh and juicy with citrus and soft herbs; crisp and tangy with racy style and a long, bright finish. 92 MARTINE'S WINES NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA Carrick Wines 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Central Otago, New Zealand ($18) Tangy citrus and crisp, fresh style; lively, bright and long on the clean finish. 91 PACIFIC PRIME WINES Clos Henri 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($25) Silky- textured with juicy, bright style with lime and minerals; fresh, racy and showing hints of feline; long and generous. 92 GRAPE EXPECTATIONS Peregrine Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Central Otago, New Zealand ($26) Bright, juicy and showing fresh lime on tangy, racy fruit; crisp and fresh with lifted flavors and lovely acidity. 91 VINEYARD BRANDS Seresin Estate 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($22) Racy acidity and silky texture; juicy and bright with elegant style and lively flavors; classic Marlborough Sauv Blanc. 92 PACIFIC VINE INTERNATIONAL Shaw & Smith 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills, Australia ($22) Fresh and juicy with bright herbal and citrus notes; racy, lifted and exuberant; balanced and long on the finish. 91 WINEBOW GROUP THE WIDE, WINSOME WORLD OF SAUVIGNON BLANC by Anthony Dias Blue ALTHOUGH IT HAS ALWAYS HAD to play second fiddle to the two "noble" whites— Riesling and Chardonnay—Sauvignon Blanc has increased dramatically in popularity and spread from its original home in France to vineyards all over the world. Australia, California and, especially, New Zealand have become major geographical sources of this bright, crisp wine. Over the past year or so, I have tasted hundreds of Sauvignon Blancs; here are the best of them. The Bridesmaid White The "twisty" icon denotes wines sealed with screwcap.

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