California can churn out great Sauvignon Blanc in its sleep

[Peter_Simpson]

@Adam Lee

Thanks all for the recommendations. Does any other producer from the Russian River stand out? Dianna and I made some musque clone this past year and so have been on a tasting expedition ever since.

Adam Lee
siduri and Novy

The SB made by Kevin Kelley at NPA is wonderfully fruity and fresh!

However it’s made to be sold locally in returnable stainless steel flasks. Goes straight from barrel to flask and never sees a glass bottle. I don’t know if that allows him to do things a little differently.

[Jeff_Fish]

Beckmen’s Sauvignon Blanc from their Purisma Mtn. vineyard is one that is unheralded and consistently very good. And IIRC it is around $20 or less.

[drsugarman]

Another SB that’s worth a mention is Biale White Chicken but they don’t make much of it and seems it’s mailing list only.

[Jay_Miller]

@Bruce Leiserowitz

Well, I think (1) CA can churn out Sauvignon Blanc, and (2) Sauvignon Blanc can be “great” within the confines of what you can do with SB. But I hardly think CA is routinely churning out “great” Sauvignon Blanc. There are CA Sauvignon Blancs that are fine sipping wines for a fair price, such as Honig.

While I enjoy more premium SB’s like Rochioli, in head-to-head competition, it’s hard to find a CA SB for around $20 that can compete with the H. Reverdy Sancerre–a SB that’s expressive and minerally.

Bruce

Give Mayacamas a try. It may not be up there with the Cotats or Labaille or Vatan but it’s a good complex wine and it’s only $20. Not Sancerre but CA isn’t France (that was a stylistic rather than a quality comment).

[John_Webber]

Arkenstone is an awesome SB and the price is $45 (not 65).

[larry_schaffer]

Have not had either Jonata, but the SB’s I’ve enjoyed from SB County include Osseus (made by Eric Mosheni, wineaker for Zaca Mesa), Dragonette, Brander, Beckmen (Purisima Mtn bottling), Fiddlehead, and Margerum (and not in that particular order) . . .

Cheers!

[Brett_Johnson]

@G. D y e r

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

as a general rule, CA Sauv. Blanc falls into two categories for me:

1. priced right, but boring quality.
2. good-to-excellent quality, but too expensive.

I’ve certainly had a couple exceptions to this rule, but the “general rule” is a general rule for a reason.

Same issue for me, but mainly because it’s one of those tasting room portfolio balancing wines. Far too often I run into some combo of herbaceous/sweet/high alcohol. Buttonwood makes a nice SB from Santa Ynez that is priced right. Not super exciting, but balanced and varietally expressive.

Beckmen does SB right as well at a very fair price. EDIT - just noticed Larry’s similar note on Beckmen.

[Thomas_Keim]

Have to agree with you there Mike -

Although I’m not of fan of the oak-laden offerings (a good portion of them from Napa Valley) - there is an abundance of great Sauvignon Blanc produced in California -

Santa Ynez is still my favorite source for great Sauvignon Blanc, but Lake County, Sonoma County (especially Dry Creek Valley), Livermore Valley and even Temecula Valley seem to be perffect places for the grape -

I do miss the old school, aggressively grassy style that seems to be out of vogue nowadays -

[Roy_Piper]

@John Webber

Arkenstone is an awesome SB and the price is $45 (not 65).

Oh geez, sorry bout that! I need to get up there, I’ve been away so long I’ve forgotten their pricing! Heck, that is a fine deal at $45.

[Anthony_Agrella]

My favorite it Sbragia Home Ranch, and it also uses some musque clone, although I don’t know the percentage (I think it retails around $25, but I am not sure). And the glass stopper is kind of neat as well.

Full disclosure - It is in my wife’s portfolio.

[Carl_Steefel]

I was a big fan of the earlier Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc, but with the 2008 vintage I lost some interest in buying them any more. Or at least I will taste before I buy. The 2008 showed much more tropical fruits than the classical Loire valley grassy acidity that I really enjoy. Reminded me of some of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Hopefully they will get back to firmer, more acidic/citrus SBs with coming years, but then I am not (and never have been) a fan of tropical fruits in my wine…

[David_M]

@Adam Lee

Thanks all for the recommendations. Does any other producer from the Russian River stand out? Dianna and I made some musque clone this past year and so have been on a tasting expedition ever since.

Adam Lee
siduri and Novy

Adam,


I always am a fan of Dutton-Estate’s two SBs. Where did you source the fruit from?

[Phil_Carpenter]

@larry schaffer

Have not had either Jonata, but the SB’s I’ve enjoyed from SB County include Osseus (made by Eric Mosheni, wineaker for Zaca Mesa), Dragonette, Brander, Beckmen (Purisima Mtn bottling), Fiddlehead, and Margerum (and not in that particular order) . . .

Cheers!

+1 Larry…that Osseus we had rocked…we had the Fiddlehead’s on the last trip…all great. Dragonette is an absolute MUST! Brandon has this varietal on lock.

[bob_poirier]

I’m a big fan of the Selene and (even though they force me to buy it) Larkmead SB’s
The Selene i believe is 30% new oak and 70% Stainless

[Blake_J_o_h_n_s_o_n]

Based on this thread, went out last night and picked up a bottle of Cali SB. I’m usually not a buyer of Cali SB as i trend towards NZ. But i was quite happy with my pickup:

St. Suprey 2009 N.V. SB for $13 @ Safeway, the nose is fantastic where a simple swirl is a burst of perfumed melon and citrus fruit. On the palate, it has light citrus and a bit of green apple, Nice acidity without being tart. The finish isn’t very long but worked great with dinner. 87 pts

[Tyson_Stevenson]

@bob poirier

I’m a big fan of the Selene and (even though they force me to buy it) Larkmead SB’s
The Selene i believe is 30% new oak and 70% Stainless

The Larkmead SB is great and was priced right. I say was because I believe the price will be north of $40 for the Spring release.

BTW - Larkmead SB is an optional buy and not a required allocation in the Firebelle and Solari list.

[Phil_Carpenter]

@Blake J o h n s o n

Based on this thread, went out last night and picked up a bottle of Cali SB. I’m usually not a buyer of Cali SB as i trend towards NZ. But i was quite happy with my pickup:

St. Suprey 2009 N.V. SB for $13 @ Safeway, the nose is fantastic where a simple swirl is a burst of perfumed melon and citrus fruit. On the palate, it has light citrus and a bit of green apple, Nice acidity without being tart. The finish isn’t very long but worked great with dinner. 87 pts

One of the first wines (different vintage of course) I ever had. Special place in my heart. The price of this wine has come down too. I remember it being in $20 range…back when I thought that was pricey for wine. Ha!


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[Andrew_Breskin]

Peter Franus had a great one made from Carneros grapes