Last night I hosted a Sauvignon Blanc tasting for 80 people at our neighborhood clubhouse titled: Washington vs. The World. We served a sparkling South African sauvignon blanc for a starter and then people were able to guide themselves on a 'tour' of three tables: Southern Hemisphere, Europe, and Washington. The latter was three legacy brands dating back to the earliest days of Washington wine which wasn't all that long ago. L'Ecole 41 went commercial in 1987 and was only the third winery to do so.
Anyway, my favorites of all the wines served:
2022 Henri Bourgeois Sancerre La Côte des Monts Damnés Sauvignon Blanc
Intense flavors that will only deepen in the best ways with time. Nectarine and pineapple with a sense of higher purpose. Galloni said "one for the long haul". Yes indeed!
2022 Tenuta Luisa Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon
Stood out in a tasting of nine sauvignon blancs with complex and unique fruit that was Sauvignon-like yet not like any I've had before. It was all sunny yellow flavors: quince, yellow tomato and yellow bell pepper, with just a hint of herbaceous tomato leaf underneath. Loved it. And dare I suggest that even David Bueker would enjoy it!
2023 DeLille Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Doyenne Métier Washington
Hate the weird label, but the contents of the bottle were nothing short of superb. This is a revelation about what's possible with Washington state fruit. The flavor profile and depth are very sophisticated and Bordeaux-ish; and though they don't admit to adding any Semillon one has to think there's some in it. Truly excellent.