WTN: Disappointing Sauvignon Blanc

I like Sauvignon Blanc on occassion, particularly those that display citrus with a lot of minerality but the 2008 Chalone Vineyard Monterey County was a big disappointment for me. Muddled tropical fruit flavors, pineapple, peach and passion fruit but little acidity, flabby in the mouth. The wine didn't draw you to take another sip, as I find good SB's do, and after 1/2 a glass with an off putting bitter note having appeared, I pushed it away. My first time with a Chalone SB and this is a respected name so is this their style or an off bottle?

Drew

I know nothing about Chalone but if you like citrus and minerality then one would think that CA sauvignon blanc is not exactly your prime geographic region for pleasure-seeking?

They earned their reputation with chardonnay, not SB.

[Jenise]

Haven't had their SB, Drew, (in fact I'm surprised they make one), but tropical/flabby pretty well describes the chardonnays and pinot blancs they've been making for the last ten years. Once a good name, but now? Not so much.

Well, two things:

Despite the validity of Rahsaan's point, he's brushing too broad with "California". It's not one precise climate, just as "France" is not one precise climate. And most of Monterey is not well regarded for Sauvignon Blanc.

And as to Chef Carey's comment, the Chalone that exists today is not at all the same as the Chalone that built its reputation...the company has changed ownership significantly, and that changed the focus of the wine significantly.

I'd look elsewhere for Sauvignon Blanc from California, Drew. The base Chalone is pretty much a commodity line right now anyway---just a line of wines to make money and without any real distinction.

There are several SBs from California---and specifically, from Sonoma, Lake and----and even Napa!---that are much more what you're looking for. Mason, St. Supery, Bonterra, are pretty widely available. There are others.

Thanks, Hoke, I've had many SB's from California that are delicious examples of steely, mineral driven wines that are exciting and refreshing. One I found last year was Kingsford Manor which was delicious for about $15. I didn't realize that Chalone had lost it's way.

Drew

Despite the validity of Rahsaan's point, he's brushing too broad with "California". It's not one precise climate, just as "France" is not one precise climate. And most of Monterey is not well regarded for Sauvignon Blanc..

You and your knowledge-based accuracy and precision!

Despite the validity of Rahsaan's point, he's brushing too broad with "California". It's not one precise climate, just as "France" is not one precise climate. And most of Monterey is not well regarded for Sauvignon Blanc..

You and your knowledge-based accuracy and precision!

I'm okay as long as I don't chime in on the nature and varietal typicity of Piedmontese Riesling.

Despite the validity of Rahsaan's point, he's brushing too broad with "California". It's not one precise climate, just as "France" is not one precise climate. And most of Monterey is not well regarded for Sauvignon Blanc..

You and your knowledge-based accuracy and precision!

I'm okay as long as I don't chime in on the nature and varietal typicity of Piedmontese Riesling.

Isn't Piedmontese Riesling the next big find in the wine world?

Nope, next big find is Okanagan then maybe Ontario!!