Attributes:

Merryvale Vineyards

Napa Valley, United States

Sauvignon Blanc

375 ML

2006: WineSpectator Rating: 85

tart

mouthwatering

2006: CGCW Rating: 82

medicinal

juicy

2006: Tastings Rating: 85

bright, crisp, zesty

medium-bodied

racy

minerally

sweet

2005: CGCW Rating: 86

clean, fresh

2005: Tastings Rating: 89

tangy, tart

floral

medium body

minerals

ripe

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 85

delicate, round

2004: CGCW Rating: 86

apple, grass, lemon, oak

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 91

rich

cedar, grass, orange

ripe

Food Matches:

This tiny strip of land just north of San Francisco is home to America’s most prestigious wineries. Its climate is ideal for viticulture. Ironically, it was deemed too ideal for some vintners, who have moved their vineyards from the valley’s flat plain to the hills in the east and west, adhering to the idea that grapes that struggle to grow yield better wine. The climate, soil, and individual wineries are enormously varied, so it’s impossible to identify a singular trait of Napa wines. In addition, nearly every noble grape is grown here, although Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the primary grapes. In the past, Napa’s wines have alternated between extremely fruity and fat to lean and subtle. Today the best Napa wines have achieved a balance between these extremes. Many are made to be drunk young and have abundant ripe fruit; others can be initially hard and tannic, but soften over four or five years to perfumed, cedary fruit. White Napa wines are excellent with fresh-grilled fish and chicken, but can also cope with more spicy and creamy flavors. Many Napa reds will overwhelm delicate cuisine, but rich red meat and cheeses do make good companions.

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.

Attributes:

Smoking Loon

California, United States

Sauvignon Blanc

750 ML

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 86

tangy

focused, rich

Food Matches:

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Attributes:

Le Sartre

Pessac-Leognan, France

Bordeaux - White

750 ML

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

rich

grapefruit, vanilla

2000: Tastings Rating: 85-89

clean, fat

medium-bodied

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

1995: Tastings Rating: 85-89

apple, grass, lemon

1995: Tastings Rating: 84

straightforward

open

1994: Tastings Rating: 80

light

cherries, herbs, pepper

1993: Tastings Rating: 92

rich

herbs, minerals, oak, ripe fruit

1993: Tastings Rating: 80

silky

Food Matches:

One of the youngest appellations in France, this region just outside the modern city of Bordeaux (and once part of the appellation Graves) boasts vineyards that have won prestige for the entire Bordeaux region. Its hilly, well-drained soil suits the Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes used to make their dry whites and the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot used in their supple, earthy reds.