Sauvignon 2000

Once again, spring has sprung here in Day-twah, which can only mean two things. First, it's time for the Red Wings to make another run at the Stanley Cup, and secondly (and perhaps just as important), it's time to see which Sauvignon Blancs from around the world will become our favored summer sippers over the next several months. To this end, we've already begun our quest in earnest, tasting a variety of wines from various areas. Most of those we've sampled have been delightful, and one particular selection is especially noteworthy, in our opinion.

1999 Babich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($9.99, 13% alc.): The latest vintage of this medium straw from New Zealand arrived in Day-twah last week, so I brought one home, gave it a bit of a chill and poured a glass, remembering how well we liked the '98. And if anything, the new model may be even better. It exudes a beautiful bouquet of grapefruit/key lime/cat spray that follows through and expands on the palate with a long finish. Rich, concentrated and intense, it's creamy smooth, yet not without good acidity. A remarkable value for so few dollars, this is the QPR find of the Year 2000 thus far for this taster, and our new house white. A Bastardo's Best Buy.

Other Notables (and some not so...)

1998 Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre ($14.99-17.99, 11-14% alc.): This little lovely from the Loire Valley is a pale to medium straw in color, with a fragrant grapefruit/mineral bouquet accentuated by a hint of herb and running river. The not quite bone dry flavors echo crisply with some added grass and just a wee bit of detergent. It finishes long and is an excellent textbook Sauvignon.

1998 Herve Seguin Pouilly-Fume ($14.99, 13% alc.): Another pale to medium straw, this has an effusive floral/grapefruit/pear/cat spray nose, along with big grapefruit/ mineral/pine needle/detergent flavors. Not quite fat, it's not as crisp as some either. It IS delicious though, and I'd give it another year in the cellar to mellow a little more.

1997 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre ($17.99, 12.5% alc.): A medium straw with a tinge of green, this has a hint of canned peas over wet stone/ grapefruit on the nose. The grapefruit takes over bigtime on the palate, supported by wet stone/mineral and a little herb lingering in the background. The mineral tends to dominate the fruit on the midpalate and the reasonably long finish, with decent concentration and good acidity. Good, but not quite up to the two previous selections noted here.

1998 Serge Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume "Les Pentes" ($19.99, 12.5% alc.): This medium straw to pale gold is just a bit of a disappointment to us, considering how well we liked the previous three vintages. Pretty aromas of grapefruit/lemon/mineral with a hint of herb waft out of the glass, but searing acidity and mineral dominate the flavors now. It could be a little fuller on the midpalate and a little longer on the finish, but maybe a year or two will help it some. Still, I probably won't pay the $20 for this again, especially with the better values given above and on the next page.

1998 Goldwater Dogpoint Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($19.99, 14% alc.): A medium full-bodied medium gold, with a pretty, if not exactly ebullient nose that features citrus/pear and added melon notes with a little brown sugar on the palate. It shows a little more oak and a little less acidity than I'd like, with good intensity. I've heard that others have found this to be a crisp wine, but that isn't our experience; wonder if we got an off bottle? It's a good wine and no doubt, but I probably won't investigate it further...

1998 Mason Napa Sauvignon Blanc ($22.99, 13% alc.): We tasted this medium straw with the enigmatic Simp Jackson and his vivacious wife Kathy, so there was a lot going on and not much time for notes. Nevertheless, it is very impressive, even at the inflated Michigan price, with its spicy perfumed grapefruit/cat spray flavors and aromas. It's rich and concentrated, with a certain creamy quality, but enough acidity to keep it lively. 

Procede to: The Rest Of The Pack

April 2000

 
THE WINES

THIS PAGE

1999 Babich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

1998 Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre

1998 Herve Seguin Pouilly-

1997 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre

1998 Serge Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume "Les Pentes"

1998 Goldwater Dogpoint Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

1998 Mason Napa Sauvignon Blanc

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1998 Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc

1999 Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc

1998 Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc Groenekloof

1998 Morton Estate Sauvignon Blanc Hawkes Bay

1997 Brander Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc

1998 Flora Springs Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Estate

1998 Markham Napa Sauvignon Blanc

1999 Kunde Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc Magnolia Lane