2022 Château de Costis Cuvée Spéciale Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc
Recommended by a local retailer for a Sauv Blanc tasting I'm hosting. 100% Sauv Blanc which is unusual for Bordeaux Blancs. Straw gold color with an initial whiff of oxidation that seemed to blow off and some very slight stemminess. Bone dry with green pippin apple and hay notes. I was assured that it would be a no-brainer at $12 locally, but I don't get it. This retailer brought it in because a customer had it BTG in a French restaurant in Seattle and requested it. For my tastes it would be okay with some foods, but as a Bordeaux Blanc it's just not attractive enough period and it would get killed in a tasting with new world Sauv Blancs. Pass.
2022 Field Recordings Wine Sauvignon Blanc Barter and Trade Washington
We had release six which I think was 2022. Tried at the recco of a friendly local retailer whose pitch was that he put it in his wine club and it was popular. Not for me a selling point, and in fact a strange thing to offer when my question was what style is it because I had one other wine from this brand (a negotiant headquartered in Paso Robles no less) that I hated, and that dumb factoid is all he had to offer. I had the impression that he maybe never even tasted it. All I can say is, those are dumb people. Or maybe it was last year. Because now it's vapid, watery and tasting of sour, underripe fruit. Wasted $20 on a wine that should be given away, and I'm insulted that he recommended it. Hard pass.
2023 Walla Walla Vintners Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley
Fresh, crisp and just a little feral with gooseberry, green bell pepper and fresh cut grass, this SB hits my sweet spot for new world Sauvignon Blanc. Loved it. It goes in the tasting.
2019 Maison L'Envoyé Fleurie Chateau du Vivier Gamay
Was at the market early Friday evening when my brother called and invited us to dinner (we were in his neighborhood). He loves Gamay so I bought this to take over. Fleurie's typical floral quality has blended into a little earthiness and presents a comprehensive whole. Medium burnished red and light-medium bodied on the palate, perfectly ready for casual summer drinking.
2022 Olivier Gessler Côtes de Gascogne Mary Taylor
50% Columbard, 30% Ugni Blanc, 15% Gros Manseng, 5% Sauvignon Blanc. Very bright, complex and compelling with a sophisticated array of white fruits like white nectarine, white currant and snowdrop melon. Oh, and only 12% alcohol. Just loved it.
2022 La Camensarde Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc
Easy-going sauvignon blanc in a more savory style. Not grassy or vegetal, just classy and devoid of tropicality. Decent buy for $17.
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2021 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley
Tasting room pour shows why this is consistently one of the best Cab Francs made in WA state. Great typicity and definition, and judicious/lighter oak presence than the wines made by the previous owner. Really nice stuff.