2018 Sauvignon Blanc Willamette Valley Vineyards
Subtlety different! This ’18 Sauvignon Blanc is the first pressing and bottling from vines started in 2010. The vines were developed through an educational project” “vine to wine”. The wine isn’t the usual, ordinary Sauvignon Blanc. The vines were grown and developed on my favorite U.S. (New World) Pinot Noir vineyard, Tualatin Estate vineyard. Several years ago, we visited this boutique Oregon vineyard. The land and area are so pristine, I expected Adam and Eve would soon walk among the tall vines…. & for those planning a visit, the directions are E-Z: drive Northwest from Portland for about 26 miles. Stop a few miles prior to Kansas City, OR 97116. Bring your camera, time your visit to taste the ripe Pinot Noir grapes. More intriguing about this Sauvignon Blanc wine, I have a “wine goddess” on staff at Willamette Valley Vineyards. For nearly two decades, she has advised me about wine selections. Her understanding of high quality, along with value, provides consistency to my wine cellar. • I learned that she, along with other staff, planted these vines! Now, after a decade of growth & development, the grapes got harvested, turned into this first pressing of the wine. • I was shocked that the Tualatin Estate winemaker would allow a different varietal, other than Pinot Noir, to be planted in that soil. • I was taken aback how different this Sauvignon Blanc is from others. It varies from others in subtle ways: Its nose has a floral bouquet, which differs from most fruity aromas. The taste is citric, lemony, then gives way to slate and a smooth non-tannin finish. Its color is a very pale yellow, rather than white or golden. The real surprise comes in drinking. This wine has a richer, fuller body. The legs cling to the glass, displaying its solid holding power. This is a versatile Sauvignon Blanc: drink it as a summer wine, open and enjoy, serve it to guests at an event, pair it with hearty or light meals, etc. It will do what any other quality Sauvignon Blanc is expected to do, and then some.
