Summertime and the Sauvignon is Sippin'

Much of the new interest in sauvignon stems from its affinity to seamlessly pair with seafood spanning just about everything from antipasto to fish in cream sauces or even Mediterranean-style fish and chicken.

Halibut, sablefish, bass, and tuna are all perfect with fruity style sauvignons while the drier versions flecked with citrus, grass and smoke flavours work well with heavier, oily fish.

Generally, modern-day sauvignons bear an affinity with one another. Although less grassy, the citrus, gooseberry and grapefruit model appears to transcend terroir and regional influences giving the varietal, for better or worse, a global fingerprint.

Stylistically, the wines break down into three major categories, which not surprisingly tend to rise in price as more wood and ageing is applied. It begins with the pure varietal or un-wooded style typically crisp, tart and cleansing; the round, soft and lightly oaked (combining some portion of barrel fermented juice with tank fermented juice resulting in a slightly richer more complex white); and the entirely barrel fermented, toasted-oak and lees style that gives the grape more of a mouth filling chardonnay-like profile.

Gone are the excessively vegetative, bell pepper and canned asparagus notes as well as the bitter, citrus rind flavours that marked so many examples of the last two decades.

There is still the "grassy" component but it appears in a much more balanced arrangement surrounded by fresh grapefruit, green apple, kiwi and mineral notes.

Almost all sauvignon is best drunk young when the citrus, kiwi or melon characters are strongest and the vegetative characters are less apparent. The exceptions are the dry, barrel fermented examples of Bordeaux that have some sémillon blended in as well as most Loire Valley fume blancs that gains complexity with extra bottle age.

So, what's out there to buy?

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Under $10

84/100 Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Robertson, Brede River Valley, South Africa
Quiet grassy citrus nose with a whiff of gooseberry. Dry, light and easy sipping. It does not exhibit a great deal of intensity but certainly wouldn't be out of place at picnics or for use at mid-day sipping on the patio. Good enough for the price.
Tasted: 2003-05-19 by AG
Prices: BC $8.99 Specialty
CSPC: 444968; UPC: 746925000977
Producer: Robertson Co-operative Winery
Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

83/100 Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Peculiar canned grapefruit and asparagus nose with a big whack of lime and passion fruit. Fairly soapy on the palate with plenty of Citrus rind flavours and a flat finish. Lacks varietal character.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG
Prices: AB $9.20; BC $9.99 Specialty; ON $8.45
CSPC: 269597; UPC: 7804350596328
Producer: Vina Santa Carolina
Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

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$10-$15

87/100 Errazuriz Fume Blanc 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Open grapefruit, zesty, passion fruit nose. Soft and the flavour intensity is low with grapefruit, grass and butter flavours in the finish. It's delicate, round and restrained which is surprising for Casablanca. Crisp, somewhat creamy finish but we were expecting a bit more intensity.
Tasted: 2003-06-14 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $14.99 Specialty
UPC: 608057000051
Producer: Vina Errazuriz
Distributor: Maxxium Canada

87/100 Trio Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
The grapes are picked at several different intervals meaning they come to the winery with differing ripeness levels. Gooseberry, lemon, grassy, canned jalapeno pepper aromas and a touch of flint mark the nose. Ripe, round and lighter in style with bell pepper, grassy, grapefruit flavours and a touch of buttery melon on the finish. Solid and tasty.
Tasted: 2003-06-14 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $14.95 Speculative - Select Wine Merchants
UPC: 7804320037875
Producer: Vina Concha y Toro S.A.
Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

86/100 Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Clean and fresh marked with citrus rind, citrus oil and gooseberry undertones. More citrus rind flavours fill the mouth that are tart and dry in the finish. This is a fun, mouth-puckering sauvignon that needs food.
Tasted: 2003-01-31 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $11.90; BC $13.99 General; MB $11.95; ON $11.95
CSPC: 275677; UPC: 089419007138
Producer: Viña Santa Rita
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

86/100 Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc 120 2002
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Curico, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Santa Rita continues its work with sauvignon blanc clones and the results are impressive. The 120 series is purely varietal with no oak ageing (except for the Cabernet Sauvignon). The '02 version is extremely fresh on the nose with gooseberry and grapefruit aromas and very similar flavours. Expect a tangy grapefruit rind aftertaste that is slightly alcoholic. Serve well chilled all summer.
Tasted: 2003-01-20 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $9.75; BC $10.99 General; MB $9.90; ON $9.00; SK $11.95
CSPC: 275586; UPC: 089419007091
Producer: Viña Santa Rita
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

86/100 Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Region del Valle Central, Chile
Kiwi grapefruit sweaty grapefruit rind aromas mix with similar grapefruit rind and sour green apple flavours. The finish is bitter but balanced and soft. A no big deal summer sipper.
Tasted: 2003-01-31 by AG
Prices: AB $11.95; BC $12.95 Specialty
CSPC: 622597; UPC: 830212000105
Producer: Sur Andino S.A.
Distributor: Winspeer International Group Ltd.
 
86/100 Valdivieso Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Region del Valle Central, Chile
Light attractive, open, grassy, bell pepper, grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. The textures are soft but there is good acidity and mid-palate zip and the finish is clean. Butter, lees and grapefruit dot the finish. Good value.
Tasted: 2003-01-04 by AG
Prices: BC $12.00 Speculative - Marfful Consultants
Producer: Viña Valdivieso
Distributor: Marfful Consultants Limited

85/100 Les Fumées Blanches Sauvignon 2001
Languedoc, South of France, France
Clean grapefruit rind and mineral nose. Round supple entry more citrus flavours and medium depth. Easy sipping wine that would pair well with light seafood or appetizers. Well made worth buying.
Tasted: 2003-01-31 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $10.99 Specialty
CSPC: 472555; UPC: 721298769522
Producer: Jacques & Francois Lurton S.A
Distributor: Maxxium Canada

85/100 Miguel Torres Sauvignon Blanc Santa Digna 2001
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Quite an expressive cool-climate artichoke, grapefruit rind and bell pepper nose. Intense gooseberry sweaty mineral rind flavours with a touch of artichoke. More of a Marlborough-style sauvignon with good balance but it's herbal. Perhaps best served with a bowl of mussels.
Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $13.95 Specialty
CSPC: 520031; UPC: 8410113005213
Producer: Miguel Torres Chile
Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits 95 Ltd.

85/100 Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
You would think sauvignon might have a higher profile at Mission Hill given winemaker John Simes New Zealand background and his earlier work with Marlborough sauvignon but it doesn't seem to get an extra attention. The '02 sauvignon should have wide appeal with its ripe melon and canned grapefruit. It's much rounder than previous additions with less grass and pepper and more ripe fruit. Clean, fresh B.C. white made for summer sipping and West Coast oysters.
Tasted: 2003-05-22 by AG
Prices: BC $13.95 Specialty
CSPC: 118893; UPC: 776545995278
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery

85/100 Tarapaca Sauvignon Blanc La Isla 2001
Valle de Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Fairly ripe nose of passion fruit and kiwi with just a hint of artichoke. On the palate it's soft with lemon oil on the mid-palate and melon grapefruit in the finish. Balanced, easy-sipping, attractive style consumers will like.
Tasted: 2003-06-14 by AG
Prices: BC $12.95 Specialty
CSPC: 624577; UPC: 633567905022
Producer: Viña Tarapaca Ex Zavala
Distributor: Corby Distilleries Limited

84/100 Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Region del Valle Central, Chile
Wet stone and citrus nose with a touch of matchstick that will dissipate with time. Similar flavours with mineral butter. Quite a dry, lean finish. We like it but the style maybe too severe for the consumer buying at this price point.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG
Prices: BC $10.99 Specialty
CSPC: 275909; UPC: 610444017030
Producer: Vina Caliterra
Distributor: Maxxium Canada

84/100 Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Big sweaty, stinky, grapefruit nose with citrus rind and passion fruit aromas. Dry mineral, flavoured wine with more passion fruit flavours and an intense dry, citrus, grapefruit rind finish.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $12.95 Speculative - Winspeer
CSPC: 026161; UPC: 831906000944
Producer: Doña Paula Estate
Distributor: Winspeer International Group Ltd.

84/100 Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Grapefruit, passion fruit, grassy canned jalapeno aromas. Lots of mineral, grapefruit rind, bell pepper and very green apple flavours with a very tart, dry finish. Definitely sauvignon but the acidity is a bit too high and dry - try with oysters or mussels.
Tasted: 2003-06-16 by AG
Prices: BC $14.99 Speculative - Grady Wine Marketing
CSPC: 587048; UPC: 058976320578
Producer: Calona Wines Ltd.
Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

84/100 Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Region del Valle Central, Chile
Open jalapeno grapefruit and grass nose. On the palate it's simple and soft with lots of sweet fruit and light fresh finish. A sauvignon with sweet and sour textures and taste. A simple summer sipper.
Tasted: 2003-06-14 by AG
Prices: AB $10.75; BC $10.99 General; MB $9.93; NS $12.25; ON $9.35
CSPC: 275909; UPC: 610444017030
Producer: Vina Caliterra
Distributor: Maxxium Canada

83/100 Fetzer Fumé Blanc Echo Ridge 2001
California, United States
Light floral, grassy fruity nose with flecks of mineral and gooseberry in the background. Bitter grapefruit rind marks the flavour and the rather dry finish. Simple at best.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG
Prices: AB $13.85; BC $13.99; ON $12.95; QC $12.95
CSPC: 255448; UPC: 082896710270
Producer: Fetzer Vineyards
Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

83/100 R. H. Phillips Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United States
The Phillips sauvignon is 100 per cent Dunnigan Hills fruit and is mixed with 10 per cent sémillon. Its very light with lean mostly citrus highlights with a dusting of melon; light in extract. The finish is soft and round with lemon highlights. Oysters would be a good fit.
Tasted: 2003-03-19 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $13.99 Specialty
CSPC: 594432; UPC: 087110200575
Producer: R. H. Phillips
Distributor: Atlas Wine Merchants

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$15-$20

88/100 Vina Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Almost Marlborough with canned green jalapeno, mineral and grapefruit aromas and a touch of melon. Dryer, crisper style with good acidity. Nice mineral, grapefruit, kiwi flavours with a touch of butter and grass on the finish. Well done.
Tasted: 2003-06-14 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $19.95 Speculative - Marfful Consultants
UPC: 7809531600023
Producer: AG. Casas del Bosque Ltd.
Distributor: Marfful Consultants Limited

88/100 Domaine Joel Delauney Touraine 2002
Touraine, Loire, France
This Touraine blanc is 100 per cent sauvignon with bags of clean crisp ripe fruit. After fermentation the sauvignon left on its fine lees to further enhance flavour and texture development. The flavours are a mix of peach and citrus with some floral notes in the finish. Impressive, fruity clean white that is tailor-made for West Coast food. Drink all summer.
Tasted: 2003-05-19 by AG
Prices: BC $16.95 Specialty
CSPC: 595157; UPC: 3514310000027
Producer: Domaine Joël Delaunay
Distributor: Magnum Consultants Ltd.

88/100 Domaine de Molines Sauvignon Blanc Réserve 2000
Languedoc, South of France, France
Mineral, gooseberry, passion fruit, hay aromas with light, bell pepper notes. Rich, textured wine with smoky mineral, canned gooseberry, spicy lees that finishes with a touch of vanilla and citrus. Showing a touch of maturity but very good acidity.
Tasted: 2003-06-16 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $17.50 Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $19.95 Speculative - Winspeer
CSPC: 007765; UPC: 690604000119
Producer: Vignobles Michel Gassier
Distributor: Winspeer International Group Ltd.
 
88/100 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Veramonte has handle on sauvignon in Casablanca as evidenced by the pleasant melon Kiwi lemon rind character in this nose. Soft entry with similar ripe melon apple and kiwi fruit on the palate. Lovely elegant styling and quite along ripe finish. Impressive effort and becoming very consistent.
Tasted: 2003-01-31 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $15.95
CSPC: 602649; UPC: 083085611293
Producer: Veramonte Estate
Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

87/100 Deen De Bortoli Vat 2 Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Riverina, New South Wales, Australia
Pretty kiwi, gooseberry, grassy, grapefruit aromas with a touch of mineral. Dry, round and crisp with fresh grapefruit, mineral and passion fruit flavours with a touch of jalapeno pepper in the finish. Pleasant, fresh style for current drinking. Fair price.
Tasted: 2003-01-22 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $15.95 Restricted
CSPC: 14589
Producer: De Bortoli Wines Pty Limited
Distributor: Reichel-Waldorf Wine Imports Inc.

86/100 Chamonix 2002 Sauvignon Blanc 2002
South Africa
Roasted canned jalapeno, mineral and grass aromas. Dry, crisp, fresh palate with exactly the same flavours and some extra canned grapefruit on the finish. A bit intense and a little on the veggie side but well balanced overall - good match for oysters and clams.
Tasted: 2003-06-16 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $16.95 Speculative - Reichel-Waldorf
Producer: Chamonix Winery
Distributor: Reichel-Waldorf Wine Imports Inc.

85/100 Valentin Bianchi Sauvignon Blanc 2002
San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina
Smoky, mineral, citrus, aromas and almost duplicate flavours on the palate. Vanilla and grapefruit rind mark its finish. It's a big intense sauvignon but unfortunately it is drier than it needs to be.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG
Prices: BC $19.95 Speculative - Delf Group
UPC: 089046321546
Producer: Valentin Bianchi
Distributor: Delf Group Inc.
 

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$20-$25
 
88/100 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Kim Crawford sauvignon now sports the familiar screwcap closure ensuring consumers pure untainted flavours inside. Look for rich open canned jalapeno aromas with a touch of canned asparagus all streaked with chalk and mineral. Quite a citrus flavoured on the palate with excellent mid-palate balance and power. Green apple, green pepper and grapefruit flavours mark the long finish. Break out the mussels.
Tasted: 2003-05-04 by AG
Prices: BC $23.99 Specialty
CSPC: 469411; UPC: 689352009611
Producer: Kim Crawford Wines
Distributor: Atlas Wine Merchants

88/100 Quails' Gate Fume Blanc Family Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
The 2002 FR Fumé Blanc was made in limited quantities from the best parcels of fruit. Partial barrel fermentation in new French oak aged 'sur lie', followed by a selection of the best barriques. Look for an oak, melon, floral, citrus rind nose with a smoky citrus fumé vanilla finish with flecks of grapefruit and green apple. Round approachable palate but still crisp in the finish. Well done for a young wine and should only get better in the coming five to seven months. Excellent.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $22.95 Winery Only
UPC: 778856214048
Producer: Quails' Gate Vineyards Estate Winery
Distributor: Medallion Wine Marketing

87/100 Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Very cool Marlborough sauvignon with bell pepper, canned artichoke, slate and grapefruit aromas. Elegant, fresh and round with green apple, bell pepper and grapefruit rind flavours. Dry and crisp style but well balanced for pairing with steamed mussels and roasted potatoes. Less severe than previous editions and for that we are thankful.
Tasted: 2003-06-16 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $15.00 Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $24.99 Specialty
CSPC: 020602; UPC: 9416827004021
Producer: Nautilus Estate
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
 
87/100 Goldridge Estate Sauvignon Blanc Premium Reserve 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Canned jalapeno, dill, hay and grapefruit rind aromas mark the nose of this very Kiwi Sauvignon. Expect fresh flavours round textures and a touch of sweetness in the back end. Mineral, fresh grass, bell pepper and passion fruit flavours dissolve into a well-balanced finish.
Tasted: 2003-06-16 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $21.99
CSPC: 19927; UPC: 9421008330158
Producer: Matakana Estate
Distributor: International Cellars Inc.

87/100 Kendall-Jackson Sauvignon Blanc Vintner's Reserve 2001
California, United States
Ripe melon, grapefruit, kiwi aromas with a touch of grass. Round and fresh with canned grapefruit, melon, mineral and passion fruit flavours. Good fruit and balance with nice acidity although the finish is a bit sweet but a very solid style for restaurants and the regular consumer.
Tasted: 2003-06-09 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $20.95 Specialty
CSPC: 349647; UPC: 081584130406
Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery
Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants

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$25-$30

89/100 Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc 2001
Napa Valley, California, United States
Barrel fermentation and aging contribute to the rich, creamy textures of this elegant, all fumé sauvignon with its soft edges and lemon/citrus, mineral aromas and flavours. There's more smoky, vanilla, lees flavours in the finish along with creamy grapefruit and smoke. Very crisp. Bring on the shellfish.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $23.00 Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $29.99 Specialty; NS $35.65; ON $29.75; QC $29.20
CSPC: 221887;   UPC: 086003351868
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery
Distributor: Maxxium Canada

88/100 Turnbull Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, United States
Skellenger Vineyards is the source of most of the sauvignon used at Turnbull half of which is the sauvignon musqué clone and its lime-scented fruit. The blend gets an extra smattering of three to five per cent viognier and malvasia bianca both of which elevate the wines floral notes and seven per cent sémillon. The weight is medium to light-bodied; the textures round, soft and easy sipping. The 60 per cent stainless ferment is mixed with 40 per cent barrel fermented fruit all of which is lees stirred through April. The wine is streaked with lime citrus notes and refreshing fruit flavours in the finish. An excellent, Napa-style, summer-sipping sauvignon.
Tasted: 2003-05-29 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $29.95 Special Order - Vinterra Wine Merchants
UPC: 793589067501
Producer: Turnbull Wine Cellars
Distributor: Vinterra Wine Merchants

87/100 Matariki Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
Big passion fruit leafy character mixed with big time herbal/bell pepper and mint. Intense citrus rind and bell pepper flavours with asparagus and a pleasing, limey, crisp finish. Balance is fine but you have to be a fan of the herbal side. Mussels in Marinara sauce might be the ticket here.
Tasted: 2003-05-04 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.95 Speculative - Vinterra Wine Merchants
UPC: 9419548910022
Producer: Matariki Wines Limited
Distributor: Vinterra Wine Merchants

89/100 Benziger Fumé Blanc 2001
North Coast, California, United States
Expect pleasant mineral, grapefruit rind, melon and fresh hay aromas. Round and fresh with delicate flavours of melon, butter, grapefruit with a chalky mineral aftertaste. Tasty grapefruit/orange finish with firm acidity and fine balance. Enjoyable, graceful wine. It's North Coast appellation but its 75 per cent Sonoma County fruit.
Tasted: 2003-03-10 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $29.95 Specialty
CSPC: 284513;   UPC: 7857774000325
Producer: Benziger Family Winery
Distributor: Winspeer International Group Ltd.

86/100 Pascal Jolivet Attitude Sauvignon 2001
France
Pronounced mineral, cement, kiwi grapefruit rind aromas with a touch of grass and sweaty lees. Round and soft with light melon, grassy, herbal flavours with a slate, chalk, and kiwi finish. Simple, easy drinking sauvignon style with a touch of sweetness.
Tasted: 2003-01-15 by ST
Prices: AB $23.95; BC $26.95 Specialty
UPC: 3490960007138
Producer: Pascal Jolivet
Distributor: Winspeer International Group Ltd.

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$30 - $40

90/100 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand
The 2002 vintage was the first vintage from these vines planted in 2000. There are eleven different parcels of vines that are managed individually to create quite distinct and special characters. Expect an intense passion fruit mineral nose with just a fleck of gooseberry fruit in the background. The entry is full of round sweet fruit with chalky textures and mineral flavours. More passion fruit and kiwi mark the mid-palate before a dry and slightly austere finish. Intense sophisticated Kiwi style sauvignon.
Tasted: 2003-05-04 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $32.95 Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $34.95 Specialty
CSPC: 614420;   UPC: 9421004550291
Producer: Craggy Range Vineyards Ltd.
Distributor: Winspeer International Group Ltd.

86/100 Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc SLD 2001
Napa Valley, California, United States
Big stinky nose lined with intense, grassy, lemon citrus and asparagus aromas. More lemon citrus flavours on entry, mixed with stone fruit, artichoke and vanilla. Strong, intense and just a little bit strange. It may well be the SLD terroir but it's not our favourite this year.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $24.00 Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $36.99 Specialty; NB $33.00; ON $35.90; QC $35.00
CSPC: 474338;   UPC: 086003361836
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery
Distributor: Maxxium Canada

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$40 - $50

89/100 Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Napa Valley, California, United States
Open bell pepper and mineral aromas streaked with jalapeño, citrus and vanilla in the background. This is a round, fun-to-sip style with ripe, kiwi/melon, mineral and fruit flavours with a skinny, green-apple skin undercurrent. Big round warm Napa styling that will appeal on the patio.
Tasted: 2003-06-30 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $43.95 Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $49.95 Specialty
CSPC: 191429
Producer: Cakebread Cellars
Distributor: Winspeer International Group Ltd.

89/100 Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Sonoma County, California, United States
Sweaty wool, mineral, grapefruit, gooseberry aromas with a touch of vanilla and dry lees. Round and viscous with mineral, green apple, grapefruit rind, gooseberry and vanilla flavours. Long, clean slightly citrus lees finish. Crisp but warm finish.
Tasted: 2003-02-17 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $49.50
Producer: Matanzas Creek Winery
Distributor: Vinterra Wine Merchants

89/100 Gaja Sauvignon Blanc Alteni di Brassica 2000
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Open fig, buttery, grapefruit rind, mineral nose with a touch of vanilla. Round, dry, elegant and restrained with grapefruit rind and nutty, lemon mineral flavours. Well balanced with good acidity and should drink well over the next few years.
Tasted: 2003-03-02 by ST
Prices: BC $0.00
Producer: Angelo Gaja
Distributor: Maxxium Canada