Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California – Napa Valley – USA
Cost: $17 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Pale straw color with aromas of lime, white grapefruit, notes of passionfruit, vanilla, and honeydew melon. Flavors of lime zest, mineral, citrus blossom, grapefruit and hints of guava. Lingering flavors of lime and melon through a long, crisp finish. Pairs well with seafood, chicken, and soft cheeses.
My Review: Anybody that’s followed along for any amount of time knows that I’m a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc, especially those with lots of citrus on them. Fortunately, the 2009 Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc has just that.
Very pale in color, with just enough yellow in it so as not to be completely clear, the wine was abundant in aromas and flavors of citrus, particularly lime. There’s a definite lime zest/pithiness to the flavor that I found very enjoyable – it’s crisp and clean and full of flavor all at the same time.
Paired with a dinner of baked pesto tilapia and some parmesan risotto, it was a nice counter-note to the creaminess of the risotto, while not overpowering the lightness of the fish.
I would compare this very favorably with a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc thanks to the in-your-face citrus, though there’s far more lime than grapefruit, which is not a bad thing. If you’re a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, especially those from South America, I think this will be right in your wheelhouse.
If you can’t find the 2009 Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc at your local store, and that may or may not be tricky since it appears to be a limited release, you can order it online by visiting this link and having it shipped to you directly.
