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Casablanca Valleys. Their wines tend to have bases. The challenge is having so many
citrus and herbaceous character in the nose choices and finding those that suit your
and high acidity. Still, they can be riper, palate (if you like it, it’s good, no matter the
rounder, and fruitier on the finish, similar to scores).
some regions in California. Look for Mont‐ Some of our recent discoveries range
Gras, Vina Siegel, Casas del Bosque, and Con‐ from tighter, crisper, citrus, and herbal wines
cha Y Toro. more toward the New Zealand end of the
South Africa, fifth in production, produces flavor spectrum to those given more time
Sauvignon Blanc in various styles. I haven’t fermenting on the lees and having varying
tasted any recently but from a previous visit degrees of oak aging, sometimes blended
and trade tastings in the U.S. I found the best with Semillon, to create something lusher and
examples coming from the wine regions more reminiscent of a good Graves or Pessac-
around Cape Town, including Stellenbosch Leognan wine.
and Parl. Two wines I’ve enjoyed in the past Some of the wineries we’ve enjoyed re‐
were from Tokara and Nederburg. cently include Dry Creek, Groth, Kunde, Merry
Edwards, Quivira, Honig, Margerum, Peju
California Conundrum Province, Rutherford Hill, St. Supery, and
Spottswoode. The styles vary based on many
considerations and variations in climate and
In the United States, fourth in production,
California leads the way (Napa, Sonoma, weather, soil, orientation of the vineyards,
Lake, and Mendocino Counties), followed by and winemaking practices, so you need to
Washington and Oregon. expand your horizons and find styles to your
liking.
California's Sauvignons continue to im‐
prove as winemakers hone their styles, draw‐
ing increased raves from wine lovers posting Seven for Spring and Summer Sipping
notes on Cellar Tracker and other wine data‐
The following wines were selected from
more than 50 tasted in the past six months
to offer a range of values, styles, and quality.
Most are in wide distribution. Newer vintages
may be out, which is fine. These wineries can
be relied on for consistency over the years.
The list is from lowest to highest price:
$13 value (Costco) Marlborough, NZ, 2022
Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc. Sharp mid-
green gold; citrus, grapefruit, herbaceous,
classic Marlborough nose; mid+ acids; mid-
body; semi-long, crisp, citrus finish. 15.5 UC
Davis scale; 89 other scales.
248 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2024
