I bought 2 last year, and haven’t tried them. I am going drink one this weekend to help me decide on my purchase approach this year.
I love these and purchase year after year. Just placed my order.
Not much love for Santa Barbara County SB here. The Happy Canyon area is producing some great fruit, and Magna Mater has already been mentioned - but not mentioned yet are Grassini, Brander, Dragonette, and Starlane . . . just a few to search out.
Very interested to see what comes of the Starlane fruit now that Tyler Thomas, formerly of Donelan, is at the helm.
Cheers!
+1
I need to seek out a Mason SB again.
Bruce Cass has just posted a Napa-Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc “Smackdown” Tour at Vinobo.com. Map, itinerary, recommendations for a 3-day weekend. Requires free registration, and is only available for free until April 15th. (Subscriber only after that date.) It’s a self-guided tour, so you can just print it out and use it as a reference when planning your next trip. ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
Huge +1 on Happy Canyon AVA and especially, for Dragonette.
This sample had been sitting open on my desk for about 12 days after initial tasting with maybe 4 oz left. I had heated some leftovers and took a bite of something too hot and needed something to wash it down, so grabbed this. The wine was still tasting beautiful (@ room temp) which I was surprised by. I flipped through my notebook and saw what I had written, smiled and then drank the rest of it. 
There is a lot of great Sauvignon blanc out there.
I think the best is probably Laville Haut Brion Blanc now called La Mission Haut Brion Blanc. The problem is price.
This is practically 100% Sauvignon Blanc in years like 1990. Some years it is heavy Semillon. I know this is cheating a little.
My favorite however comes from Chile.
It comes from the Lo Abarca area and is made by Maria Luz (Mary Lou) Marin.
Casa Marin.
She has two vineyard designates. It remains some of the most thrilling Sauvignon blanc I have ever tasted. That includes Dagueneau and many others.
Thanks! Happy to be here.
Yes it definitely is, considering that Semillon is usually in similar or higher amounts than the Sauv Blanc. I’ve tasted it once and it was delicious, as it better be for $700+ per bottle.
Taking things down a few notches and somewhat similarly, there’s the affordable Graville-Lacoste Graves Blanc, offering fine value at $14 - $18.
RT
Rick,
The 1990 was a huge %age Sauvignon blanc due to the weather.
Don, from a quality perspective I’m behind your supporting White Bordeaux. Guessing the % Sauvignon Blanc based on smell/taste alone wouldn’t be particularly easy IMHO. My understanding is that white Bordeaux with anything close to 100% Sauv Blanc is comparatively rare (your 1990 LMHB not withstanding) unless things are changing.
RT
Extremely rare Rick. That is why it is a little fudging re: the OP.
Thanks, Don, for the recommendation. I ordered some '11 Cipreses based on your enthusiasm.
Mark,
I really think you will like it.
Don
I think Fred Brander makes some excellent SB.
We drank these a couple of nights ago…
2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc
2012 Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc
The Joseph Phelps was better than the Bedrock. Four of us shared the two bottles and we all agreed on this point.
Last night…
2012 Bouchaine Pinot Blanc Bacchus Collection Las Brisas Vineyard
2010 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc Reserve To-Kalon Vineyard
Both were very good.
I had the Bedrock this weekend… I immediately grew angry with myself for not buying more.