Producer: St. Clement Vineyards
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Bale Lane
Vintage: 2005
Country: USA
Appellation: Napa Valley
Wine Type: White
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Grade: B+
Designation: Excellent Value
Price: $20.00

If like me, you have opted out from the Chardonnay crowd and are seeking to go your own white wine way, then a crisp and zingy Sauvignon Blanc could be your ticket. Sauvignon Blancs are produced worldwide and their character and flavors vary according to the spot on the earth where the grapes are grown and their wines produced. The French Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé represent the varietal’s pinnacle in France while New Zealand rocks everyone’s boat with their version from Marlborough. California? For a long time this state’s Sauvignon Blanc has been considered the poor man’s Chardonnay but driven by the ABC refugees, producers are paying attention to consumers and are improving its production, quality, and marketing for this citrus, grassy, and refreshing white wine. One such winery is St. Clement Vineyards. The small winery is located in Napa Valley off the west side of Highway 29 just north of St. Helena. St. Clement is probably best known for their Oroppas Cabernet Sauvignon blend and Cabernet Sauvignon wines and they hold some of the plum Cabernet vineyards in Napa Valley. But, they also craft delightful and complex Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines. The 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Bale Lane, is a good example of their winemaking talent. It is a single vineyard wine with an aromatic bouquet of green apples and lemony fruit. The first sip embraces with the crisp tang of lemon and grapefruit that turns to rounder orange melon, tropical fruit, and mineral tones. The wine has depth and complexity that takes a surprising turn with a rounding finish with coconut and bananas that will delightfully raise your eyebrow. The St. Clement Sauvignon Blanc is excellent as an aperitif or with seafood, particularly crab and other shellfish.

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