Three Sauvignon Blancs From Three Countries

It's been a little while since I have written anything. My apologies, it is not for lack of something to write, but just have not sat down to do it.

I have recently tried 3 different sauvignon blancs, all of which come from different countries. They are a little more expensive than my normal purchases, but sometimes "you gotta do what you gotta do."

Momo Sauvignon Blanc 2008, $16.70, 90 points Wine Spectator. This SB, from Marlborough New Zealand, is a nice lighter style of NZ SB. It is not heavy on the 'tomato vine' that is typically Marlborough. Light, citrus with a sweet grapefruit edge. Juicy on the finish. A great wine for end of summer drinking on the patio, or, this would be nice with a nice poached halibut. Even try a selection of fruits and cheeses, however, nothing to strong.

Snowden Sauvignon Blanc 2007, $18.00, 90 points Wine Spectator. Snowden is a small producer in Rutherford California, only 600 cases of this wine were made. The winemaker is Diane Snowden, enologist for Domaine Dujac (Burgundy, France), and superstar consultant, Dave Ramey. Prior to making wines themselves, the Snowdens were selling their grapes to Warren Winiarski at Stags Leap. A little in the style of a Loire Valley SB, this wine does have some steely, flinty components, yet with a little more fruit than a Loire Valley wine, honeyed citrus with a great texture. It does have a nice crisp finish.

Domaine Laporte, Domaine du Rochoy Sancerre 2007, $28.75, 90 points Wine Spectator. Domaine Laporte is one of the quintessential producers in Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. Started in 1850, Domaine dy Rochoy is a single 25 acre slope, in the past it was a Roman-Gallo quarry called 'Rochetum'. This wine just hit me as a classic Sancerre. The nose was a little closed, but did offer some citrus/grapefruit, and a minerality, stony aroma. On the palate, it seems rather austere, as I always think of Sancerres as being, but the grapefruit is prevalent on the palate along with some herbs like chive or thyme. Most of all, it is stony, flinty minerally, and finishes long. This really is a treat to drink.

Although, a little more expensive, these wines are worth searching out. Give them a try!

"Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of good wine."
St. Thomas Aquinas