Love this wine... even as it ages beyond the usual drinking window for a SB, this was elegant yet crisp with a nice grapefruit finish. Perfect pairing with a simple scallop dish.
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Grassy, bright fruit and herbs, lemongrass, sweet grapefruit, good acidity. More depth of aroma and flavor than most Cali SBs that comes through even more as it warms up. Should be good for another year or two.
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Light yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of gooseberries, grass and grapefruit. Flavors of grapefruit and orange rind. Medium acidity, light to medium body. Drink now.
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-Bottle served at cellar temperature (54°) -Cork in excellent condition, no wine bleed on the cork. -No decant, drank from the bottle -Color: Light straw color. -Nose: Grapefruit up front with Honeysuckle on the finish. -Palate: Grapefruit forward with a slight straw/grassy mid-palate. Honeysuckle was lingering on the back. Medium mouth feel. With all that going on still a clean finish. -Food: Paired with Salmon (with capers) with home fries. Will go great with anything light. -Overall: Consistently one of the best Sauvignon Blacs around. The balance between the citrus and grassy makes this a little more complex than most but that may be because I’ve held this a few years. Hard for me to hold a Sauvignon Blanc for 3+ years but just goes to show that a great quality Sauvignon Blanc can still age well and balance out over time to show some of the flavors that may not have presented itself earlier in its life. Feels like it is a better sipping wine early on and becomes more food friendly with time.
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-Bottle served at cellar temperature (54°) -Cork in excellent condition-very little wine bleed (>1mm) -No decant, drank from the bottle -Color: Light straw. -Nose: White Grapefruit up front with Honeysuckle and Lemon Curd towards the finish. -Palate: Light Red and White Grapefruit upfront and tarragon spice on the back palate/finish. Medium mouth feel and acid with a clean quick finish. -Food: Paired with Swordfish (with capers) broccoli and Jicama Mash. Will go well with all fish and will stand up to lighter chicken dishes. -Overall: Very enjoyable wine and one of the best Sauvignon Blancs around. Very consistent from year-to-year with 2014 no exception. Drinking well now but will last 2-3 more years.
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Pop and pour. Felt that the nose was very closed down on this wine, however, on the palate a completely different story. Lots of refreshing acidity and a long smooth finish. Tastes very elegant. Overall really enjoyed this wine and would definitely have again! Probably drinking at its peak now.
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Tasted blind. Clear yellow in color. The nose is clean, somewhat closed, with a hint of smoke and flint prevailing over the aromatic citrus. The palate is dry, with ripe lime and grapefruit flavors. The acidity is medium (+) and the alcohol is medium (+) to high at 13.9%. The finish is very clean, mineral-driven and long. It is drinking very well now and should hold up well for several years due to its structure. Several tasters, myself included, thought that this was the entry from the Loire. Instead it's a blend of Sonoma and Napa County fruit.
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This wine has a thick texture with attractive notes of nectarine, honeysuckle, tropical fruit, and meyer lemon, all with a mineral underbelly (which was more pronounced on day 2). The finish is energetic and delightful without being too tart.
I probably liked it better on day 2. Ok pairing with cod cakes in tomato sauce, chicken with sundried tomato relish, cheese, and green salad. Great pairing with roasted asparagus and scapes and perfect pairing with oysters. In the future, try sauvignon blanc with more shellfish (scallops, mussels, clams, shrimp). Best out of Sommelier Loire glass.
I think I liked this better than the Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc from last summer. I would try more Napa or Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc.
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Very aromatic -- lime, grapefruit, cut grass. Also a little rubber with air -- almost Riesling-like. Getting the grapefruit and tangerine that AG&PN mentioned, turning to creamy lime curd. Long zippy finish. Delicious and classy. Drink soon.
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Spottswoode with Knut and James (Napa, CA): Damn good stuff! Tropical, with some richness. Pyrazines are present but minor (it’s warmer in Napa than Sancerre or NZ, and they use ~30% Sauvignon Musque). Oak (15% new) is barely perceptible. There’s a bit of richness from the elevated alcohol - feels like 14%? (close! 13.9%). Fantastic acidity (high) and rich without being over the top.
Compared to Bordeaux Blanc this is maybe slightly lower in acid (still high), richer in body (lees aging + alcohol + riper fruit), missing oak (so you get ripe grass, instead of the celery soda / key lime pie notes of pyrazines + oak).
This is a damn good expression of Sauvignon blanc, and it’s distinct from Bdx, Sancerre, and NZ. I’m a fan! Score: Around 9. --------- Technical notes: 40% Napa, 60% Sonoma Vineyards: Spottswoode, Farina (Sonoma), Hyde (Carneros), Ink Grade (Howell Mountain), Pelkan (Knights Valley), Stagecoach (Atlas Peak).
Clones: 73% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Sauvignon Musque (less-pyraziney, more aromatic)
60% stainless steel barrels 35% French oak (15% new) 5% concrete “cuves” - James said the difference between concrete eggs and steel is subtle, but the oval shape causes circulation, and it’s a little porous.
~4,000 cases, $38/bottle
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Good Sauvignon Blanc, but style has changed to a more slender version, crisp and refreshing with nettles. Used to be a bigger wine 6-8 years ago, I think they used to blend in some Chardonnay to give it more fruitiness.
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Refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with grapefruit and mandarin orange. Bright and mouth-puckering. White stone fruit offsets the astringency. A favorite SB of mine.
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Always one of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs with grapefruit and tangerine undertones. Peach and floral aromatics. Perfect weight and delivery on the palate. Elegant yet easy drinking.
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2/6/2022 - Bwalter17 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Excellent still.
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1/17/2021 - Kevdog Likes this wine: 92 Points
Thought I’d held this too long when I found it in cellar... but the dry fruit and nuts on this finish still made an exceptional pairing with scallops!
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8/11/2020 - Kevdog Likes this wine: 92 Points
Love this wine... even as it ages beyond the usual drinking window for a SB, this was elegant yet crisp with a nice grapefruit finish. Perfect pairing with a simple scallop dish.
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7/4/2020 - Bwalter17 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Grassy, bright fruit and herbs, lemongrass, sweet grapefruit, good acidity. More depth of aroma and flavor than most Cali SBs that comes through even more as it warms up. Should be good for another year or two.
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5/3/2020 - konadog Likes this wine: 92 Points
Guava for days on the nose and mid palate, piercing lime/lemon on the finish.
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5/27/2019 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 90 Points
Short note: Medium greenish yellow. Really grassy with lime and a little tropical.
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4/19/2019 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Straw in color,
Grapefruit (dominant), grass, stone fruit.
Acid and spice add weight.
More New Zealand than Cali sauv blanc.
Good wine for a sunny 60 degree Minnesota day.
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8/4/2018 - buckeye76 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Similar notes as previous tastings. Drink up!
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7/22/2018 - atlantacolon Likes this wine:
Great
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7/11/2018 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
WIML91
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately.
Light yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of gooseberries, grass and grapefruit. Flavors of grapefruit and orange rind. Medium acidity, light to medium body. Drink now.
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5/27/2018 - D3S Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good wine.
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4/21/2018 - Sonoma Duck Does not like this wine:
Seemed a bit tired, perhaps over the hill.
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1/18/2018 - Black Kat Likes this wine: 90 Points
-Bottle served at cellar temperature (54°)
-Cork in excellent condition, no wine bleed on the cork.
-No decant, drank from the bottle
-Color: Light straw color.
-Nose: Grapefruit up front with Honeysuckle on the finish.
-Palate: Grapefruit forward with a slight straw/grassy mid-palate. Honeysuckle was lingering on the back. Medium mouth feel. With all that going on still a clean finish.
-Food: Paired with Salmon (with capers) with home fries. Will go great with anything light.
-Overall: Consistently one of the best Sauvignon Blacs around. The balance between the citrus and grassy makes this a little more complex than most but that may be because I’ve held this a few years. Hard for me to hold a Sauvignon Blanc for 3+ years but just goes to show that a great quality Sauvignon Blanc can still age well and balance out over time to show some of the flavors that may not have presented itself earlier in its life. Feels like it is a better sipping wine early on and becomes more food friendly with time.
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1/13/2018 - Black Kat Likes this wine: 91 Points
-Bottle served at cellar temperature (54°)
-Cork in excellent condition-very little wine bleed (>1mm)
-No decant, drank from the bottle
-Color: Light straw.
-Nose: White Grapefruit up front with Honeysuckle and Lemon Curd towards the finish.
-Palate: Light Red and White Grapefruit upfront and tarragon spice on the back palate/finish. Medium mouth feel and acid with a clean quick finish.
-Food: Paired with Swordfish (with capers) broccoli and Jicama Mash. Will go well with all fish and will stand up to lighter chicken dishes.
-Overall: Very enjoyable wine and one of the best Sauvignon Blancs around. Very consistent from year-to-year with 2014 no exception. Drinking well now but will last 2-3 more years.
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12/24/2017 - MLR Likes this wine: 91 Points
Crisp with a tight minerality to it that makes this Wine so great.
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10/1/2017 - winejnky wrote: 89 Points
Similar to prior tasting note
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6/30/2017 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wine evolving nicely. Light citrus, floral nose; mid-body, balanced; fine texture; long fruity lush finish.
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6/28/2017 - buckeye76 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Similar to previous notes.
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5/28/2017 - gmbdds wrote: 90 Points
A balanced mix of acidic citrus fruits and grassy/herbal notes. A well made S.B., but perhaps a tad anti-climatic from a name like Spottswoode.
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2/12/2017 - pgrzesik Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pop and pour. Felt that the nose was very closed down on this wine, however, on the palate a completely different story. Lots of refreshing acidity and a long smooth finish. Tastes very elegant. Overall really enjoyed this wine and would definitely have again! Probably drinking at its peak now.
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12/8/2016 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted blind. Clear yellow in color. The nose is clean, somewhat closed, with a hint of smoke and flint prevailing over the aromatic citrus. The palate is dry, with ripe lime and grapefruit flavors. The acidity is medium (+) and the alcohol is medium (+) to high at 13.9%. The finish is very clean, mineral-driven and long. It is drinking very well now and should hold up well for several years due to its structure. Several tasters, myself included, thought that this was the entry from the Loire. Instead it's a blend of Sonoma and Napa County fruit.
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10/6/2016 - buckeye76 wrote: 91 Points
CITRUS AND FIGS IN THE NOSE WITH CITRUS, HONEYDEW, AND SOME SPICE IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.
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9/18/2016 - SeaCellar Likes this wine: 89 Points
A reasonable Sauv Blanc, but not exceptional on the nose or the palate. Lacks the crispness and acidity of an exceptional example of the varietal.
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6/28/2016 - jkscully Likes this wine:
This wine has a thick texture with attractive notes of nectarine, honeysuckle, tropical fruit, and meyer lemon, all with a mineral underbelly (which was more pronounced on day 2). The finish is energetic and delightful without being too tart.
I probably liked it better on day 2. Ok pairing with cod cakes in tomato sauce, chicken with sundried tomato relish, cheese, and green salad. Great pairing with roasted asparagus and scapes and perfect pairing with oysters. In the future, try sauvignon blanc with more shellfish (scallops, mussels, clams, shrimp). Best out of Sommelier Loire glass.
I think I liked this better than the Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc from last summer. I would try more Napa or Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc.
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5/21/2016 - mischwine wrote: 91 Points
certainly the only Sauvignon Blanc I've had in years...truly impressed by the depth of this wine. crisp,citrus and a nose that evolves....
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5/3/2016 - MLR Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wonderfully crisp wine with a minerality hat you don't get from most sauv blancs.
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4/21/2016 - tomherer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very aromatic -- lime, grapefruit, cut grass. Also a little rubber with air -- almost Riesling-like. Getting the grapefruit and tangerine that AG&PN mentioned, turning to creamy lime curd. Long zippy finish. Delicious and classy. Drink soon.
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2/24/2016 - Mr T wrote:
I really liked this bottle...rich for sure, but alcohol in check and good acid/cut along with the sweet tropical notes of ripe CA fruit...yum
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2/12/2016 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 91 Points
Spottswoode with Knut and James (Napa, CA): Damn good stuff!
Tropical, with some richness. Pyrazines are present but minor (it’s warmer in Napa than Sancerre or NZ, and they use ~30% Sauvignon Musque). Oak (15% new) is barely perceptible. There’s a bit of richness from the elevated alcohol - feels like 14%? (close! 13.9%). Fantastic acidity (high) and rich without being over the top.
Compared to Bordeaux Blanc this is maybe slightly lower in acid (still high), richer in body (lees aging + alcohol + riper fruit), missing oak (so you get ripe grass, instead of the celery soda / key lime pie notes of pyrazines + oak).
This is a damn good expression of Sauvignon blanc, and it’s distinct from Bdx, Sancerre, and NZ. I’m a fan!
Score: Around 9.
---------
Technical notes:
40% Napa, 60% Sonoma
Vineyards: Spottswoode, Farina (Sonoma), Hyde (Carneros), Ink Grade (Howell Mountain), Pelkan (Knights Valley), Stagecoach (Atlas Peak).
Clones: 73% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Sauvignon Musque (less-pyraziney, more aromatic)
60% stainless steel barrels
35% French oak (15% new)
5% concrete “cuves” - James said the difference between concrete eggs and steel is subtle, but the oval shape causes circulation, and it’s a little porous.
~4,000 cases, $38/bottle
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1/20/2016 - winejnky wrote: 90 Points
Good Sauvignon Blanc, but style has changed to a more slender version, crisp and refreshing with nettles. Used to be a bigger wine 6-8 years ago, I think they used to blend in some Chardonnay to give it more fruitiness.
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12/28/2015 - emf Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious, refreshing Sauvignon blanc. Lots of citrus and some exotic fruits. Great with cheese and charcuterie.
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11/26/2015 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 90 Points
Refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with grapefruit and mandarin orange. Bright and mouth-puckering. White stone fruit offsets the astringency. A favorite SB of mine.
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11/5/2015 - PinotPaul Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderful, bright citrus, just a touch of grassiness. Just lovely.
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10/24/2015 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 91 Points
Always one of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs with grapefruit and tangerine undertones. Peach and floral aromatics. Perfect weight and delivery on the palate. Elegant yet easy drinking.
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10/2/2015 - Bruce 1er Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bright, medium light body, subtle flavors. This is a very well made SB. All of the flavor elements in harmony, resulting in an elegant wine.
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8/29/2015 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 90 Points
Sharp mid-straw gold; light citrus, spice, clove nose; mid-body; nice style; balanced; crisp; long fruity finish.
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