2019 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc

Decanter.com, Matthew Luczy

Luscious aromas of passion fruit, white flowers, and key limes. The palate is plush, tropical and classy, with a juicy and edgy finish. A perennial classic, and one of the most consistently pleasant showings of Sauvignon Blanc in California. Comprised of 63% Sonoma and 37% Napa fruit, fermented in a mixture of stainless steel barrels, French oak, amphora and concrete. 95 points (March 29, 2021)

WineSpeed, Karen MacNeil

For me, life without really good sauvignon blanc would be … unthinkable. The important words here are ‘really good,’ because the ‘lean-mean-green’ style of sauvignon is just too unrefined, too simple, and ultimately too boring to make the cut. Among the world’s great sauvignon blancs are a new class of sophisticated California wines I call ‘Super Sauvignons.’ Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc is one of them. The wine fairly vibrates with a kind of botanical freshness. And the key lime, white peach, and white pepper notes are lively and cooling. Best of all, there’s a crisp, sea spray quality that could not be more perfect with a warm bowl of rich risotto. If you’ve ever wondered what it means for a wine to have energy, try this. 94 points (November 20, 2020)

Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Fans of this pure, clean, crisp mineral-driven gem will not be disappointed with the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc. Opening with vibrant lemon and lime juice scents with hints of mandarin peel, coriander seed, chalk dust and wild thyme, it bursts with zesty flavor in the mouth. Medium-bodied, there’s a lovely satiny suggestion to the texture and lots of oyster shell and pebbly layers, finishing deliciously refreshing. 92 points (November 5, 2020)

Wine Enthusiast Advanced Buying Guide, Virginie Boone

The producer sources from a handful of exceptional sites here, including Hyde in Carneros and Farina on Sonoma Mountain, as well as its own St. Helena estate. Juicy and lengthy with power and substance, it is fresh and well integrated, blossoming in bright lemon peel, peach and guava. 94 points (October 2020)

Jamessuckling.com, James Suckling

A medium-bodied white with intense aromas of guava, passion fruit, lemon zest and green apple. Fresh, dry and fruity with bright, tangy acidity. Drink now. 92 points (December 16, 2020)

Wine.com, Wilfred Wong

The 2019 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc is outstanding. While hard to pin down, I knew that this wine was “special” from the moment I sniffed it to the end when I placed the glass down. This wine starts quietly before rising up to a crescendo of aromatic and flavorful delights. From earth, to citrus, and ripe stone fruit, and finally to dried herbs, this is a complete wine. Pair it with the right evening and a plate with raw oysters, cracked Dungeness crab, and grilled jumbo prawns. 95 points (May 13, 2020)

RobbReport.com, Sara Schneider

The 11 Best New Sauvignon Blancs of 2020 
Using fruit from about 180 separate lots from both Napa and Sonoma counties, this new, superb vintage from Spottswoode sets a high bar for Sauvignon. Fresh aromas conjure an ocean breeze carrying lemongrass, honeysuckle, Asian pear and herbs. The complex palate manages both the creamy and the vibrant ends of the lemon spectrum, the gamut of citrus joining forces with white peach and stony minerality, all with mouth-filling textures and beautiful tension. (June 5, 2020)

The Press Democrat, Peg Melnik

A tasty sauvignon blanc with a range of flavors –– grapefruit, lemongrass and white peach. This wine has intensity, buoyed by crisp acidity. Impressive. 4 Stars/Highly Recommended. (May 26, 2020)

PG Rated Blog, Peter Gianotti

A remarkable white wine, rich with citrus, tropical fruit, and peach, balanced and complex. This standout sauvignon blanc is built to last. It may be appreciated now, and also over the next five to 10 years. 3 Stars (May 12, 2020)

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