TN: 2008 Grey Stack Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Rosemary's Block

Dennis_Atick · June 20, 2009, 3:15pm

Felt like we took a few leaps closer to the sun yesterday and this was a nice remedy to a scorching night.
Poured it nice and cold and drank with some killer sushi.
Love the glass closure.

2008 Grey Stack Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Rosemary’s Block - USA, California, North Coast, Bennett Valley (6/19/2009)
Pale yellow color, just a shade from clear really. Nose shows some feral notes and melon. Palate is loaded with tropical fruit, slate, and notes of baking spice. Really crisp and clean palate; a lively acidity moves thing along. Actually, quite nice with the sushi. I found this to be slightly less-ripe than the '07. In a good way.

Posted from CellarTracker

John_Liotta · June 20, 2009, 4:00pm

I have been wanting to try this. And yes, it was hot as balls yesterday.

M_M_c_C_a_l_l · June 20, 2009, 4:03pm

Is “feral notes” a euphemism for cat pee?

John_Liotta · June 20, 2009, 4:06pm

Melissa, I usually take it to mean wild.

Dennis_Atick · June 20, 2009, 4:14pm

Melissa,
To me, wild, as John said, but also very much leaning toward meow.
Blows off rather quickly with this one.
Cheers.

M_M_c_C_a_l_l · June 20, 2009, 4:16pm

I would normally too, but wild/feral means different things to me with different grapes, and with SB, I stay as far as I can from wines with litter box aromas

John_Liotta · June 20, 2009, 4:19pm

There are such things as feral plant species you know . . .

Ian_Dorin · June 20, 2009, 4:58pm

You picked out the one thing about this that I liked about it. It wasn’t as heavy as the 07, and was certainly more crisp. I think this is the new benchmark for Cali SB (at least at a sane price).

Dennis_Atick · June 20, 2009, 6:05pm

Totally agree Ian.
Pretty ridiculous value here!

Loren_Sonkin · June 20, 2009, 7:40pm

Thanks for the ntoe. I opened one almost imediately after getting it about a month ago. It’s time for another. FWIW, here is my note:

2008 Grey Stack Sauvingon Blanc Rosemary’s Block
This just came but I opened it anyway. Glass stopper!! Silver-gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is very nice but more restrained than previous vintages (travel shock?). Tropical fruits dominate. On the palate, this is very refreshing. Tropical fruits but lacking the complexity or minerality of prior vintages. Still, this is very good. I am curious if other bottles show the same. 50+4+12+17+7=90

After speaking with the owners, I am sure this, as good as it was, will be better.

Dennis_Atick · June 21, 2009, 2:24am

Loren.
I think we are in agreement here.
However, I found it lacking the overt sweetness of the '07 (in a good way) and not lacking in minerality. Just my 2 cents.