This wine is just as good as when I tasted it two and a half years ago (93 points - 4/15), but it's now good for different reasons. Where before it was bright and fresh, now the flavor profile has calmed down a bit, while adding more body as well as flavors of honey and tropical fruit.
Light yellow in color, full in body, nose of lemon peel, beeswax, and fresh-cut grass. The fruit tastes have moved from grapefruit and lemon to more understated notes of pear and cantaloupe, along with tastes of honey and almond. The finish lingers still, but it coats the mouth more than a few years ago. 14.1% alcohol. Drink in next year or two.
From looking over my notes over the years, I think the Lillie SB turns the corner into something closer to a Semillon / white Bordeaux-ish wine around the three-year mark. They don't fall apart, but they do change. They continue to be enjoyable for at least five years, but the flavor profile is different - the oak comes through a bit more, the fruit calms down, and the mouthfeel thickens. Although I prefer the earlier, brighter stage, there's no doubt this is a unique and ageable SB.
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MNB: Oaked Sauv Blanc and some Fortifieds: (blind) Medium yellow - has a touch of color. Aromatic nose of orange creamsicle and key lime pie - Stewart's lime soda (pyrazines, new oak vanilla, ripe citrus). Shows some oxidation as well - faded apple notes, ripe peach and nectarine, bruised lime. Slight browned banana. Dry but ripe on the palate, possibly 2-3g RS, 14% alcohol (correct - 14.1%), high acid, medium plus finish of mango and lime pie. Palate is consistent with around 30% new French oak (actually 15%).
Given the significant oak, this is most likely Bdx Blanc or CA Fume blanc. - CA Fume blanc - could fit. The acid is impressive for Napa. - Bdx Blanc - If so, this would be from a ripe year (lower acid) like 2015. But this seems older. Also the fruit condition is too ripe.
Final call: 2013 Napa Sauvignon Blanc, like Arkenstone. Great acid. Actual: Correct! 2013 Napa Sauv Blanc.
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Really interesting and unique. Instead of sharp and acidic, it's stone fruits and round, viscous fruit. Fermented and aged in oak. Almost viognier-like. Drinking well now and doubt this improves more but still has years ahead. Very good. 92-93
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This is beautiful, rich, unctuous, viscous wine. I can only imagine what the partial new oak adds to it. It certainly is NOT steely at all. It is, however, not inexpensive and increasingly indicative of creeping prices in Napa. At some point..........
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Good, but I think probably best a year or two ago. Still some citrus notes, a hint of peach. But the flavors are a bit muted and the alcohol is coming through.
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Superb balance. Nose jumps from the glass. This is in its prime time drinking window in my opinion. Hints of dried herb, silky minerality and beautiful fruit including but not limited to, pear, Apple skin, white nectarines. Stunning
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A very nice Sauvignon blanc - good body, hints of grapefruit but not overpowering. Tested today for Thanksgiving dinner = will certainly serve it next Thursday
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An elegant and fresh, yet powerful, Sauvignon Blanc. Light yellow in color, nose of wet grass and citrus. Tastes of grapefruit, lemon, and hazelnut, with a beautiful finish that lingers like a premier cru Burgundy. 14.1% alcohol. Put this up next to a To Kalon or other 100% SB from Napa or Sonoma anyday. Will age for a few years; tastes incredibly fresh and light now.
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1/18/2018 - msuwine wrote: 93 Points
This wine is just as good as when I tasted it two and a half years ago (93 points - 4/15), but it's now good for different reasons. Where before it was bright and fresh, now the flavor profile has calmed down a bit, while adding more body as well as flavors of honey and tropical fruit.
Light yellow in color, full in body, nose of lemon peel, beeswax, and fresh-cut grass. The fruit tastes have moved from grapefruit and lemon to more understated notes of pear and cantaloupe, along with tastes of honey and almond. The finish lingers still, but it coats the mouth more than a few years ago. 14.1% alcohol. Drink in next year or two.
From looking over my notes over the years, I think the Lillie SB turns the corner into something closer to a Semillon / white Bordeaux-ish wine around the three-year mark. They don't fall apart, but they do change. They continue to be enjoyable for at least five years, but the flavor profile is different - the oak comes through a bit more, the fruit calms down, and the mouthfeel thickens. Although I prefer the earlier, brighter stage, there's no doubt this is a unique and ageable SB.
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10/16/2017 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 87 Points
MNB: Oaked Sauv Blanc and some Fortifieds: (blind)
Medium yellow - has a touch of color.
Aromatic nose of orange creamsicle and key lime pie - Stewart's lime soda (pyrazines, new oak vanilla, ripe citrus). Shows some oxidation as well - faded apple notes, ripe peach and nectarine, bruised lime. Slight browned banana.
Dry but ripe on the palate, possibly 2-3g RS, 14% alcohol (correct - 14.1%), high acid, medium plus finish of mango and lime pie.
Palate is consistent with around 30% new French oak (actually 15%).
Given the significant oak, this is most likely Bdx Blanc or CA Fume blanc.
- CA Fume blanc - could fit. The acid is impressive for Napa.
- Bdx Blanc - If so, this would be from a ripe year (lower acid) like 2015. But this seems older. Also the fruit condition is too ripe.
Final call: 2013 Napa Sauvignon Blanc, like Arkenstone. Great acid.
Actual: Correct! 2013 Napa Sauv Blanc.
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9/10/2017 - Mrp2008 wrote: 92 Points
Really interesting and unique. Instead of sharp and acidic, it's stone fruits and round, viscous fruit. Fermented and aged in oak. Almost viognier-like. Drinking well now and doubt this improves more but still has years ahead. Very good. 92-93
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6/3/2017 - Tarpon222 wrote: 92 Points
This is beautiful, rich, unctuous, viscous wine. I can only imagine what the partial new oak adds to it. It certainly is NOT steely at all. It is, however, not inexpensive and increasingly indicative of creeping prices in Napa. At some point..........
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4/18/2017 - domco wrote:
Good, but I think probably best a year or two ago. Still some citrus notes, a hint of peach. But the flavors are a bit muted and the alcohol is coming through.
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8/20/2016 - camben Likes this wine:
Superb balance. Nose jumps from the glass. This is in its prime time drinking window in my opinion. Hints of dried herb, silky minerality and beautiful fruit including but not limited to, pear, Apple skin, white nectarines.
Stunning
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11/26/2015 - dlcass Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice Sauvignon blanc with nice balance, texture.
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11/26/2015 - norzano Likes this wine: 96 Points
Quite possibly the best sauv blanc I've tasted. Complex with many layers to it. Nice, lingering finish.
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11/21/2015 - joedes Likes this wine: 91 Points
A very nice Sauvignon blanc - good body, hints of grapefruit but not overpowering. Tested today for Thanksgiving dinner = will certainly serve it next Thursday
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6/26/2015 - cab blends Likes this wine: 93 Points
Reminiscent of the Y.
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4/22/2015 - msuwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
An elegant and fresh, yet powerful, Sauvignon Blanc. Light yellow in color, nose of wet grass and citrus. Tastes of grapefruit, lemon, and hazelnut, with a beautiful finish that lingers like a premier cru Burgundy. 14.1% alcohol. Put this up next to a To Kalon or other 100% SB from Napa or Sonoma anyday. Will age for a few years; tastes incredibly fresh and light now.
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