A dozen Sauvignon Blancs to try by Darryl Beeson Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc, Sonoma 2005 Price $13 Rating 90 Rich lavors of ripe melon are laced within oak. Recently promoted winemaker Margo van Staaveren has played a pivotal role in every facet of the winemaking process at Chateau St. Jean since 1979. She draws upon this experience to insure that her wines meet high standards of quality. Go to www.chateaustjean.com. Francesca Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2005 Price $9.99 Rating 87 Fresh gooseberry and canned pear on the nose are followed by flavors of crisp Granny Smith apple with exotic tropical fruit notes. This Marlborough Sauvignon as ideal partner to seafood dishes, especially shellfish or maybe jumbo shrimp in olive oil and garlic. Gann Family Sauvignon Blanc "Spring Hill Vineyard" Alexander Valley 2005 Price $15 Rating 94 Sourced from a special hillside parcel of old vines, with a combination of clays, gravel, and sandy loam, imparting a subtle mineral nuance. Vibrant citrus of grapefruit, green apple, pear and apricot flavors combine with the mineral nuance. The slightest hint of oak adds the final layer, with a clean and lasting finish. Limited distribution. Best of Class & Gold Medal 2005 - Los Angeles County Fair. Geyser Peak Winery Sauvignon Blanc, California 2005 Price $11.99 Rating 91 Subtle apple and peach are in the nose of this white. Ripe melon and crisp green apple follow in a long, complex finish. Geyser Peak wine wiz Mick Schroeter is very talented. More is at www.geyserpeakwinery.com. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, California 2005 Price $11 Rating 91 Citrus and ripe melon lead the way, laced with flavors of tropical fruit andpear nectar. There isa slight hint of new oak. The blend includes 9% Semillon and 2% Chardonnay. Moredetails are at www.kj.com. Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County 2005 Price $14 Rating 93 The nose offers lemon zest,dried herbs and aromas of ripe melon. The sip sings with ripe melon and hints of lemon and mineral. The length is complex and very long. Kumala Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2005 Price $8.99 Rating 89 The nose is bright with hints of citrus and grapefruit. The sip is pleasing with ripe fruitandabalanced acidity. New Zealand, watch out for the Sauvignon Blancs from South Africa. Meridian Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast 2005 Price $10 Rating 87 The color is bright with straw. Soft flavors of very ripe melon lead the way. This is an easy sipping apertif. There are aromas of grapefruit, ripe green melon, crisp citrus and a tinge of tart apple. Go to www.meridianvineyards.com. Pascal Jolivet "La Grande Cuvee" Pouilly Fume, Loire 2004 Price $35 Rating 95 There are notes of limestone or flint in the nose. The interesting sip shows grapefruit, deep mineral, more citrus, then melon in the long complex length. There are notes of grassiness and lemon peel within. The house of Pascal Jolivet is one of the youngest and most dynamic in the Loire Valley, founded in 1987. The importer is Frederick Wildman and Sons, at www.frederickwildman.com. Pascal Jolivet "La Grande Cuvee" Sancerre, Loire 2004 Price $35 Rating 90 The sip is driven by lemon and mineral. Notes of lemon curd, melon and grass are in the good finish. Pascal Jolivet believes strongly in letting nature make the wines as much as possible, and seeks to tame the more aggressive qualities of the Sauvignon Blanc variety. Sterling Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Napa 2005 Price $15 Rating 92 There are aromas of grapefruit, ripe melon, figandpear nectarin the long, crisp length. The winery suggests pairing this white with citrus-marinated shrimp, chicken salad,or grilled trout. Learn more at www.diageowines.com. Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2004 Price $17 Rating 92 The nose is classic to New Zealand with bright grapefruit and red bell pepper. The sip is bright with more citrus and gooseberry/poblano pepper. Learn more about winemaker Brent Marris and his winery at www.witherhills.com. For more great wine suggestions, click here Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com Copyright © 1998 Inter Active Media Solutions. All Rights Reserved. The interactive components of this site require that you use a current browser version of Explorer; be sure to maximize your window out so you can see the entire page. This page was created by Inter Active Media Solutions.