Cali Cab producers who make fine Sauvignon Blanc

Ehlers, Massican and Crocker and Starr are probably my favorites with Massican being #1

Alpha Omega makes a good one as well.

I have no idea of quality or price post-purchase but Mayacamas used to make a fantastic version.

Off the radar, but Round Pond makes a nice one and its a bargain.

Massican is for sure going over your limit by a few bucks.

One that hits all your criteria, but a bit tougher to find, is Truchard Vineyard’s SB. Around $17.

More widely distributed are Hanna and Elizabeth Spencer, both in that price range.

Honig Reserve SB aka Rutherford is great under the radar wine. Very different than their standard bottling. Been enjoying it for years and it’s priced very well too

I’d second Jean Edwards and Bedrock.

Also would add Turley. Somewhat hard to find but super tasty.

I’m still struggling with the premise. Fine Sauvignon Blanc? I am unaware of such a thing. :wink:

Bevan. Napa Cabs are killer and their $32 single vineyard SB is extremely delicious (from Sonoma county though :smiley:).

Disclaimer, I’m not a Sauvignon Blanc fan. Malk Sauvignon Blanc is one that I always enjoy, it doesn’t go through MF, has a decent level of acidity, and is not too grassy. A friend that is a SB fan loves this CB. Meets the price point and is lower during sale/club disc.

Another vote for La Pelle.

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I’ve seen Bevan SB on the shelves at retailers here, and each time I’ve seen it the wine looked really cloudy and that turned me off from purchasing. Is that just what these look like? And if so, why?

We had a lot of Cliff Lede SB this summer.

Another one also. Cheap and under $20

Unfiltered. The Dry Stack is KILLER. Not sure about under $30.

By far the best Sauvignon Blanc, in my opinion, is the one from Dana (easily eclipses Screaming Eagle which is not better than many others). These days rather 200+ a bottle, so not an everyday wine and far above the 30$ limit.

Unfiltered which gives the wine weightier mouth feel. Retains more fruit aroma and taste…supposedly. Great buy at $32.

I was blown away by Brasswood’s SB at $30 or so. Heavily oak’d but had nice weight and acidity that brought it together.

Personal favorites-
Morlet - CA version of Haut Brion Blanc
Realm - Napa mimicking NZ, it’s a wild and over-the-top, you either love it or hate it- I freaking love it!
Eisele - Debatable, probably Napa’s best textbook SB for under $100, never disappoints

The Mondavi was one of the first Sauvignon Blancs I ever really liked and I believe it might be the first wine I ever ordered off of a restaurant list — seafood place and good price was a slam dunk. I haven’t had it in years.

I don’t know what it goes for now, as I’m off the list, but the Rochioli used to be ~$35 off the list and was one I would take all I could get of. They have since started doing a Reserve bottling that doesn’t do it for me, but the basic stuff is worth a look if you get a chance.

Cheers,
fred

P.S. The Rochioli is generally high on alcohol (>14%) so if you are sensitive to alcohol astringency, avoid.

Marty Mathis at Kathryn Kennedy here in the SCM makes a really nice Sauvignon blanc and its $20 at K&L

https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1495131&searchId=518d9c9c-8168-4bf9-a051-a9ee01ee2147&searchServiceName=klwines-prod-productsearch&searchRank=1

Here’s some notes from Marty from an email earlier today. I always enjoy this wine and its good QPR. Made with Organic grapes…

NEW RELEASE:
2018 SB is now the wine being offered by the case at an attractive discount (12% off the public price).

Very much like a Sancerre or Poully Fume
With flint soil and toasted cracker notes and aromas reminiscent of a warm buttery lemon crumble in this rich and powerful nose.
Ideally balanced between round texture from bottle development and lively lemon flavored acidity
An unusually long smooth finish for SB. Begs for a place at the big kids dinner table with poultry covered in rich sauces more so than as a simple patio quaffer
2018 is a special vintage and when given this extra consideration for service, IMO it rises to a world class standard for Sauvignon

$264 a case plus tax at this link

My cousin used to be the winemaker at Provenance and when I would visit I would stock up on their Sauvignon Blanc. It was really good and around $20-$25. I haven’t had it in a few years though.