Got the newly-released DryCreekVnyds SauvBlancs a few weeks ago, so cracked them Fri night w/ Susan:
1. DryCreekVnyds FumeBlanc/SauvBlanc SonomaCnty (DCV & RRV; 13.5%; Hrvstd: Aug 12-Sept 12; 100% SS; www.DryCreekVineyard.com) 2014: Med.light gold color; strong herbal/weedy/chile/cat pee/pungent classic SB rather Loire-like bit grapefruity/NZ-like bit stony/mineral perfumed nose; fairly tart herbal/chile/pungent/grapefruity/cat-pee bit stony/metallic bright/laser-sharp flavor; long tart/lean/Loire-like bit stony/metallic/tangy pungent/herbal/chile finish; perhaps a slight RS; a precise/laser-sharp quite Loire-like SB w/ nice stony/mineral character at a great price. $nc (BS)/$14.00
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2. DryCreekVnyds SauvBlanc DryCreekVlly (Clones 1,21,30,917; Hrvstd: Aug 15-Sept 12; SaH: 23.8%, TA: .73 gm/100 ml; +14% SauvMusque/4% SauvGris; 10% barrel frmtation/90% SS) 2014: Med.light gold color; riper melony/green olive/Calif SB slight herbal quite perfumed/fragrant nose; softer but fairly tart ripe/melony/lush/green olive/spicy bit/floral/spicy balanced flavor; very long lightly tart ripe/lush melony/green olive/spicy finish; speaks of riper SB and more typical Calif SB w/ a slight touch of oak; a lovely ripe/balanced Calif SB at a very good price.
$nc (BS)/$18.00
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3. KleinConstantia SauvBlanc WW of O: Constantia (13.5%; TheCountryVintner/Ashland/VA) SouthAfrica 2013: Slight pop on opening screwcap so probably CO2 refreshed; Light gold color; bit reduced/pungent/slight diaper pail rather herbal/SB/earthy/dusty bit smokey light/ordinary/low-key/gentle pleasant nose; quite tart/COr-refreshed bit earthy/melony/herbal/SB/juicy/green olive rather low-key/quiet flavor; med.short earthy/melony/herbal/SB/juicy quiet finish; clearly CO2 refreshed w/ slight ersatz tartness; a pleasant enough SB but just that. $24.00 (AV)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. DCV: DaveStare's first wine back in '72 was his FumeBlanc, made from JoeRochioli's grapes. Followed him from the very start, I did. On my first visit to the wnry about '74, Dave entertained me w/ his wines, served from an overturned barrel. Just inside his office there, there was the really cute little girl sitting at Dave's oversize desk, drawing away on a piece of paper. If I'd been smart, I'd have asked for the drawing and it'd be a treasure now, hanging on the side of my refrigerator...one of the most reknowned archeological sites in the FreeWorld. And I still think Kim Stare Wallace is kinda cute.
DCV still does one of the best jobs in Calif with the variety. Their Taylor'sVnyd SauvMusque is one of the best SB's in Calif. I gather SauvMusque is more common in Calif than it used to be, but few wineries identify it as SauvMusque on the label.
The addition of SauvGris is a new one for me. Had never heard of the variety before. I gather ChalkHill makes a 100% SauvGris, but have never had it. Would love to see (Florida)JimCowan make a skin-contact SauvGris.
Tom