There was a time when I avoided sauvignon blanc from California, not because it was bad but I just found that I had better options from other regions. But in the last couple years I’ve come across more and more California sauvignon blanc that I love.
California sauvignon blanc tends to be a little more subtle than many of those from Chile or New Zealand — which often have bold tropical fruit aromas and flavors.
I’m not sure if the California sauvignon blancs are getting better or if my palate is just evolving to a place where I prefer more elegant wines over those with dramatic, bold flavors. It’s probably a combination of the two.
Geyser Peak, River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc is the most recent one I’ve found to fall into this category. This wine comes from the Russian River Valley in California and is a single vineyard wine. If this is one you want to try, be sure to look for the “River Ranches” on the label as Geyser Peak has a few different sauvignon blancs. This one is from their Appellation series.
Peach aromas are most prominent on the nose of this wine, coupled with some melon, floral and apple as well. The palate is crisp, offering bright lemon, mineral, peach and apple flavors. It’s very dry and while it has plenty of acidity and generous lemon flavors it doesn’t make you pucker. It’s quite mineral on the finish. This is a very elegant sauvignon blanc that’s a nice distinction from the tropical bombs.
Wine: Geyser Peak, River Ranches
Varieties: Sauvignon blanc
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 88
Average price: $20.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.
Find Geyser Peak River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc with Snooth
