Sauvignon Blanc (Cali), four year's worth of speculation!
It is often said that white wines don't get the attention red wines do (I believe it), but I've grown quite fond of Cali Sauvignon Blanc. Thus it doesn't surprise me that I couldn't locate a vintage chart for Cali SB (doesn't mean one or two aren't out there), so I've made up my own (sort of).
Not a scientific study, but interesting enough, with just 14 Cali SB tasted, the average score for the 2015 vintage is 90.6 surpassing the 2014 average score of 89.95 (10 tasted), the 2013 average score of 89.1 (60 tasted), and barely more than the 2012 average score of 90.5 (10 tasted).
There you have it: 2015 was a great year for California Sauvignon Blanc.
Need some pairing suggestions? Since Cali SB tends to be bold, but streamlined, let me recommend Lobster/Crab/Shrimp/Calms/Scallops/Tuna cooked almost any way you can think of; the last SB I had was paired with clam chowder (perfect). Think salads with feta cheese, salads with blue cheese. Think Chinese cuisine. Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile white wine, but experimentation is the rule, and don't forget that if you like a wine, don't let anyone tell you what you MUST pair it with; you are the captain of your palate.
Don't let anyone disparage this 'noble' grape; after all, it's the mother of Cabernet Sauvignon, while it's father is the Cabernet Franc.
More on the 'noble' grape? See Vinepair's Six Noble Grapes.
Amended: 2016: average score of 89.5 and 2017: average score of 89.8.
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Some of these vintages are getting a little long in the tooth. I only drink Sancerres this old...California SBs should be consumed young, IMO.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! The last 'older' SB was the Heritance Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc; it was delicious, but faded rather quickly after opening.
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