I've always rated this highly in the past on its own, but it actually came in behind Kim Crawford in my preference in a blind tasting. Not a bad wine at all, but the ranking surprised me- perhaps the vintage? Deep straw in color. Honeysuckle and grapefruit on the nose and palate. Bright acidity. Medium (15+ second) finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is quite exceptional for Napa sauvignon blanc. The balance is so perfect, and the flavors on the nose and palate are of wet stone, grass, lime zest, sweet lemon and flowers. This is far from run of the mill CA SB, and gets toward a more elevated expression.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rudd Estates (Zurich): Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). Coming from a hillside location on Mount Veeder this is cooler and fresher than your average Napa Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity is more pronounced with an overall character mix between Sancerre and Napa Valley. We tasted the 2014-2017 which are ok to good but without any exceptionalism. Yes, it is the intention of the estate to craft a Sauvignon Blanc with higher acidity but I found the acidity not to be that round and perfectly integrated. But they certainly have some ageing potential and might be better with 10 or 15 years of age.
TN: This was the best in the lineup. The hotter and more opulent vintage works well with this acidic, fresher style of Sauvignon Blanc as the more opulent and sweet fruit aromas (mainly tropical fruit, along with grassy notes and some wet stone aromas) balances the sharp acidity and makes the wine more round and harmonious than its siblings from 2014/16/17. Not as dense and concentrated as the best SBs from Napa, medium finish. Overall, quite enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/20/2022 - RockinCabs wrote: 93 Points
Wow. Lots of nervy acidity here with ripe lychee, melon and grass notes. This is seriously good with a flinty arugula note underneath. Exceptional.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2021 - Jonny d Likes this wine: 90 Points
I've always rated this highly in the past on its own, but it actually came in behind Kim Crawford in my preference in a blind tasting. Not a bad wine at all, but the ranking surprised me- perhaps the vintage? Deep straw in color. Honeysuckle and grapefruit on the nose and palate. Bright acidity. Medium (15+ second) finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2021 - RockinCabs wrote: 93 Points
This is quite exceptional for Napa sauvignon blanc. The balance is so perfect, and the flavors on the nose and palate are of wet stone, grass, lime zest, sweet lemon and flowers. This is far from run of the mill CA SB, and gets toward a more elevated expression.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2019 - Cailles wrote: 93 Points
Rudd Estates (Zurich): Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). Coming from a hillside location on Mount Veeder this is cooler and fresher than your average Napa Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity is more pronounced with an overall character mix between Sancerre and Napa Valley. We tasted the 2014-2017 which are ok to good but without any exceptionalism. Yes, it is the intention of the estate to craft a Sauvignon Blanc with higher acidity but I found the acidity not to be that round and perfectly integrated. But they certainly have some ageing potential and might be better with 10 or 15 years of age.
TN: This was the best in the lineup. The hotter and more opulent vintage works well with this acidic, fresher style of Sauvignon Blanc as the more opulent and sweet fruit aromas (mainly tropical fruit, along with grassy notes and some wet stone aromas) balances the sharp acidity and makes the wine more round and harmonious than its siblings from 2014/16/17. Not as dense and concentrated as the best SBs from Napa, medium finish. Overall, quite enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment