It may be old news to you, but over the last couple years, much like the Pinot Noir boom in the early 2000's and the subsequent Malbec boom, interest in Sauvignon Blanc has seen a great resurgence and the quantity and quality of the finished product has grown as well. Here's a taste of some nice Sauv Blancs I've had from Naked Wines.
~Karen Birmingham Lodi, CA Sauvignon Blanc, 2017
The Review: 4.5/5
Karen has been crafting some incredible wines, a few of which I have enjoyed already, and a few more that are on my shelf, soon to be devoured. Needless to say, opening a fresh, California Sauv Blanc with her name on it is like ringing Pavlov’s bell hahaha.
So smooth and almost golden in its initial flavor, there is an ever-so-slight tart kick that only rings the very edges of your cheeks, but quietly disappears as fast as it arrived.
I detect a dusting of sweetness on the nose along with maybe a touch of distant lavender or wildflower, blooming somewhere across a field of dry grass in the summer…so you get just a smidge of the tall, dry grass somewhere in the back end of the nose as well.
This West Coast white shows up to the palate party with a soft, possibly pear flavor that gingerly peeks its head out. However, it’s the Sauvignon Blanc grape itself that really shines. It’s not often that you can taste the true essence of the glorious grape, kissed by the Lodi sunshine, sacrificed for the good of all oenophiles.
Seriously though, I’m talking about a mouthful of Sauv Blanc grapes, pulled off the vine, crushed by hand right in front of you, filtered and somehow perfectly blended on their way into the wine glass. Fresh, bright, delicious, refreshing and did I say fresh?!
The smoothness continues to amaze me and, surprisingly, lasts through the rising temperature of the glass in-hand.
I’m honestly beaming with excitement about the rest of the Birmingham I now have on my wine rack.
Cheers!!
BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!!!
~Karen Birmingham Lodi, CA Sauvignon Blanc, 2016
The Review: 4/5 (same wine, previous vintage)
I didn’t notice it initially, but the label has what look like "old vines" on it... these aren’t old-vine Sauv Blanc grapes are they???
That actually sounds interesting and I’d be curious if any other varietal is being “old-vined” other than Zinfandel. (**since originally writing this I’ve ordered an old-vine Chablis by Laroche...super excited!)
After cracking this open, bright and clean are the first descriptors that come to mind. There's soft flavors of peach and a little unripe apple (but not really tart, semi-sweet, but still unripe). There's also a bit of honey and what I could only describe as gently sautéed and reduced mushrooms in a white wine sauce...see where I'm going with this? haha
This wine definitely has that "sunny day" kind of essence that makes is so drinkable and enjoyable.
The color is an extremely subtle hue of gold, right before it would technically be called clear, with a tinge of a crystal shimmer.
After drinking this I've already ordered another and a few additional wines by Karen. Grab them while you can!
Cheers!!
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