Top 100 Wines: Sauvignon Blanc


Dry Creek Vineyard
2014 Sonoma County Fumé Blanc
$14
Its oh-so-friendly price and wide availability belies its greatness. When young, this Sauvignon Blanc has effusive floral, citrus and fennel aromas, succulent lemon-lime, grapefruit and pleasantly grassy flavors, with a lingering finish. With age, it becomes a multidimensional wonder. (LM)

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
2014 Russian River Selection Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
$28
Grapes grown in the Ritchie Vineyard were fermented in a combination of stainless steel
and neutral French oak barrels, giving the wine texture and depth. Floral aromas and vibrant lemon-lime, grapefruit, green melon and tropical fruit flavors combine for an energetic drink. (LM)

Geyser Peak Winery
2014 River Ranches Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
$22
Made in relatively small amounts, it’s a delightfully light, well-rounded expression of the
variety, with a well-defined beginning, middle and finish. It has lime, mint and cilantro on
the nose, and the palate is all about fresh peach and citrus, finishing refreshingly crisp. (VB)

Grey Stack Cellars
2014 Rosemary’s Block Bennett Valley Sauvignon Blanc
$33
Really delicious and aromatic, with pear, mineral, floral scents and a full, juicy palate of
pear, citrus and exotic tropical fruit. The finish is scintillating and long. (LM)

J. Rickards Winery
2014 Croft Vineyard Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc
$21
It has admirable depth and minerality to go with crisp apple and pear flavors and a bracing lemon-lime tang. The addition of 5 percent Semillon lends a complex fig character, and a hint of vanilla adds interest. (LM)

MacLaren Wine Co.
2014 Dry Creek Valley Lee’s Sauvignon Blanc
$28
Name a wine after Mom, as this producer did, and it’s sure to be delicious — especially when it’s her favorite varietal. Bright and opulent, it exhibits pineapple, mango and tangerine character. From entry through finish, it has tangy acidity with bursts of lime zest. (VB)

Merry Edwards Winery
2013 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
$32
The “Queen of Pinot Noir,” Edwards also excels at Sauvignon Blanc. This voluptuous wine
offers crème brûlée and tropical fruit, layered and nicely textured. Generous and decadent, it finishes with minerality and creaminess. (VB)

Teira Wines
2014 Woods Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc
$15
A crisp, assertive wine with lime and grapefruit flavors, hints of just-cut grass and fresh herbs, and striking acidity. The grapes come from vines planted by Clos du Bois co-founder Frank Woods. His daughter, Alexis, and her husband, Daniel Donahoe, own Teira. The name was inspired by daughters Thea and Keira. (LM)

VML
2014 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
$23
Best of Class winner at the 2015 North Coast Challenge, it was made by Virginia Marie Lambrix (VML) and offers racy grapefruit and lime character, with hints of tropical fruit, fresh herbs and kiwi fruit. The finish is clean and refreshing. (LM)