For Sauvignon Blanc Lovers

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular white wines made from green-skinned grapes, which originates from the Bordeaux region of France.  It is now widely cultivated in France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, California, and South America, producing a crisp, dry, and refreshing white varietal wine.  Depending on the climate, the flavor ranges from aggressively grassy to sweetly tropical.  It is usually consumed young since it doesn't particularly benefit from aging. Sauvignon Blanc should be served slightly chilled and pairs with fish or cheese, particularly Chevre. Also, it is one of the few wines that go well with sushi. 

For those Sauvignon Blanc Lovers, here are my wine crushes:

1)  Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - This lush and inviting Sauvignon Blanc combines a rich, creamy mouthfeel with bright acidity and a long, refreshing finish.  The aroma brings together appealing elements of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, orange blossom and peach nectar, with hints of honeysuckle and graham crackers.  On the palate, tropical flavors of pineapple and mango are complemented by layers of citrus, peach and ginger spice.  (On sale at Wines.com for $28.41 a bottle and $321.46 per case with free shipping). 

2)  Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - Fragrant and complex, with a refreshing burst of lime, guava, grapefruit and grass flavors. Wet stone, passion fruit and oyster shell accents add interest, with bright acidity highlighting the vivid finish.  An outstanding Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. (On sale at Wines.com for $15.89 and $187.78 with free shipping).

3)  Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2007 -  Winemaker Mike Dobrovic, is known as South Africa’s‘Mr Sauvignon Blanc’, and for good reason.  The flavour of this internationally renowned wine is a beautiful balance between cool and ripe, pale straw with a green tinge. The 2001 Sauvignon Blanc has massive fruit content, being packed with guava, lemon and passion fruit – yet maintaining its complex character of grassiness and nettle.  (On sale at Wines.com for $19.99 a bottle and $227.46 per case with free shipping).

Frank Family Zinfandel Napa Valley 2006

My wine crush of the day is:

Frank Family Zinfandel Napa Valley 2006 - Brilliant crimson color. Aromas of black pie, dried cherries, pink peppercorns and a hint of lily of the valley. Richness emerges as layers of juicy raspberry, spiced pluot compote, and sweet smoky BBQ sauce are exposed. Lavish and round; loaded with ripe briar berries and stone fruit, finishes deep and rich. 91% Zinfandel, 6% Petite Sirah, 3% Syrah, 15 months maturation in 35% new french oak and 65% once and twice filled french oak barrels. A big wine with 15% alcohol which is beautifully integrated into the wine of berries and spice. Try with roasted pork loin stuffed with your favorite fruit--blackberries? Or a huge all-meat pizza. 

- On sale at Wines.com for $34.69 a bottle and $349 per case with free shipping.

Clos de Los Siete

Argentina is an up and coming wine region in South America. The Mendoza region is the largest winemaking region in Argentina, with around 370,000 acres of vines.  Clos de Los Siete is an oasis comprised of seven vineyards in the foothills of the Andes, south of Mendoza. 

I raise my glass to the manager of the winery, Michel Rolland who helped develop the Bordeaux influenced wine region. Rolland, a famed wine consultant to Chateau Pavie-Macquin, put together a group of Bordeaux wine families to invest in vineyards in the ANdes foothills south of Mendoza.  

My wine crush of the day is: the 2007 Clos de Los Siete  is a superb blend of 48% Malbec, 28% Merlot, 12% Syrah, and 12% Cabernet Sauvingnon, offering up a bouquet of toasty oak, violets, mineral, black currant, blueberry, and black cherry. Ripe, sweet, and seamless, it admirably hides its tannin under all the fruit.  It is a 90+ point and $17 on sale at wines.com. This price is quite modest, as it drinks better than most $50 blends.