Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne, Sauternes 2001 This wine displays lots of tropical fruit in the nose, a sense of bananas and pineapple mixed with the mineral edge of appropriate volatility, though too much for some of the class. In the mouth, there is caramel, warmth and citrus fruits. This Sauternes is of a more moderate richness level, [...]

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Domaine Ghislaine et Jean-Hugues Goisot, Saint-Bris 2007 Of course all of the wines in this northern outpost of Burgundy do not go by the name of Chablis. We had an opportunity to visit the cellar in Saint-Bris-le-Vineux during our visit in March and the wines proved to be great values. This bottle of the ‘07 [...]

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deLorimier, Alexander Valley, Estate Bottled, Late Harvest, Lace 2004 The nose combines bananas, caramel and minerality. The mouth is viscous without being cloying showcasing the tropical fruit in a rich way, as if dazzled with honey. The botrytised grapes behind the ‘04 are 56% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscat, 169 g/l RS. GP&B [...]

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Chateau La Tour Blanche, Sauternes, 1er Cru 2003 The nose is marked by honey and minerality and appropriate VA. The pungency of the cleanser-like VA will certainly be too much for some as it does interfere with the fruit in the nose. That said, this is a tolerated style point in these types of wines. [...]

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Voss, Napa Valley, Rutherford Estate Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 There’s a sense of gooseberries, candied tropical fruits and a little bell pepper. The fruitiness comes through even more so on the palate in a refreshingly dry yet not austere way.
The grapes were picked in mid-August and treated to a 24 hour cold soak after crushing. [...]

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Jean Reverdy, Sancerre, La Reine Blanche 2007 Once again the smell of grass and grapefruit are in full force while the mouth follows suit with plenty of acidity and a little minerality.
My notes from the previous three vintages show this consistent thread of grapefruit and grass in a high acid frame
Produced from vines over 25 [...]

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Domaine Didier Dagueneau, Pouilly-Fume, Pur Sang 2004 In this wine there is the smell of cat pee and minerality. The mouth is very concentrated and long, with ripe citrus flavors like orange and tangerine. This Sauvignon is barrel fermented. Produced in Sant Andelain 11.5% $53.99 at Bottle Barn back in 2006

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Chateau Lagupeau, Graves 2007 The nose is a mix of bay leaves, fruit and chemical notes. In the mouth the wine is hard and lean with lots of acid. There’s a sense that this wine is aging prematurely and I’d be hesitant to purchase another bottle. This is one of the second wines from Chateau [...]

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Paradise Ridge Winery, Russian River Valley, Ode to Joy, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Lots of complexity in this wine, with honey galore - very reminiscent of Sauternes. This dessert wine was crafted to honor the memory of Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars. 44 degrees brix at harvest. Winemaker Dan Barwick. P&B in Santa Rosa. 13.2% $28.99 for a [...]

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Dry Creek Vineyard, Sonoma County, Fume Blanc 2007 There’s plenty of citrus and herbaceous notes to smell. In the mouth the acidity stands out as well as a sense of lemon peel. This wine has been a good standard for a budget Sauvignon and they just took the sweepstakes award at the Sonoma County Harvest [...]

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Chateau Guiraud, Bordeaux Blanc Sec, Le G de Chateau Guiraud 2006
This vintage is pretty hard to love in that the smell is all minerality and solvent notes. There’s viscosity and acidity but flavor? Sourced from vines with an average age of 15 years, planted 70% Sauvignon and the rest Semillon. The wine was barrel fermented [...]

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Angeline, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 In the nose there are the competing smells of citrus, candy, flowers and a bit of mown grass. You taste the citrus with a sense of the lemon zest as well. There’s a frame of acidity as well to make this wine refreshing. This 100% Sauvignon comes to [...]

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Dutcher Crossing, Dry Creek Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This Sauvignon smells of sweet and ripe tropical fruit. The fresh fruit continues on the palate where there is a softer, rounder feel than with many Sauvignon. Don’t get me wrong, I love an in-your-face, herbaceous, acid-dominated Sauvignon as much as the next fellow. But isn’t it [...]

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The Drylands and Omaka Springs shine in this flight and show two slightly different taste profiles.
Drylands, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 A pungent rush of gooseberry jumps out of the glass when you pour this wine with cut grass in the background. The same flavors follow in the mouth with the addition of citrus and racy [...]

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Francis Blanchet, Pouilly-Fume, Cuvee Silice 2006 Corked, so who will ever know what to think about this wine.This is all stainless Sauvignon produced across the river from Sancerre. Silice is sourced from an old vine parcel, laden with silex, just up the river in Les Loges. Mis a la propriete a Le Bouchot in Pouilly-Sur-Loire [...]

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Dry Creek Vineyard, Sonoma County, Fume Blanc 2006 This wine has been a good standard for a budget Sauvignon. There’s plenty of citrus and ample acidity making this clean and dry. Production is all stainless. 13.5% $14.50 at the winery Dry Creek Vineyard

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Whitehaven, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is full-throttle gooseberries and herbaceousness with loads of acidity - a delicious mouthful of citrus fruit and green peppers. Our friends Chuck and Barbara brought over the ‘06 version to share with us at dinner. This was also a winner with the intensely acidic edge and the pungency of [...]

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