2023 Domaine Bousquet Sauvignon Blanc, Tupangato Eco Valley, Mendoza Argentina

ABV: 12.5%
SRP: text
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Importer: Origins Organic
Sample for my review

Read more about owner Anne Bousquet and her organic winery Domaine Bousquet.

Appearance:  Pale yellow, straw, very clear,

Aroma: Fresh jalapeno, grassy, lemon lime, chamomile, saline, minerals,

Palate: Lemon lime, Meyer lemon, chamomile, tart, acidic, light, relatively simple, refreshing summer sipper, lively, light and bright, some salinity, bee pollen on the finish, lemon drop

Pairing: Beautiful with the won tons, the subtle spicy shrimp are  perfect with the wine, the wontons have a lovely richness and depth of flavor that are enhanced and elevated by the wine, the rich crunchy Cesar salad is also lovely with the wine, what a wonderful opening course for this wine, the wine loves the bright lemon as well as the rich egg dressing, there was a bunch of garlic in the dressing and it is completely tamed by the wine. We just wanted to keep eating.

2020 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

2020 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

ABV: 13%
SRP: text
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Importer: Eagle Peak Estates
Sample for my review

Appearance:  Pale yellow, pale buttercup, nicely golden, quite clear platinum rim

Aroma: Intense aromatics, tar, asphalt, petricore, bell pepper, key lime, nasturshim, lemon geranium, gypsum,

Palate: Key lime, salinity, grassy, green bell pepper, fennel, chalky texture, refreshing mint, ascorbic acid, white pepper

Pairing: This wine loves the intense flavor of the anchovy in the Cesar salad. The two are so lovely together, The wine tames the spicy acidity in the wonton, brings out the ginger flavor while taming the heat, what a beautiful pairing, The lovely umami richness of the calamari dish tames and enhances the overpowering petrocore in the wine. What a lovely paring.

2022 Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ

ABV: 13.0%
SRP: text
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Importer: Terlato Wines
Sample for my review

Read about our visit with Loveblock owner Erica Crawford to learn more about their wines and their farming.

Appearance:  Golden, quite clear, lemon, platinum rim

Aroma: Gooseberry, fennel, chamomile, mint, Meyer lemon, minerals, grassy,

Palate: Tart lemon, fennel, orange oil, blood orange, grass, salinity, bright acidic, well rounded, white nectarine, salty popcorn on the finish

Pairing: There are so many reasons that appetizers like our wontons tonight are a perfect appetizer for white wines. very nice with the Cesar salad loving the bright creamy rich salad dressing salty anchovies and bright garlic flavors. This wine is absolutely perfect with a Cesar salad, The green elements in the dish bring out a lovely green ness in the wine at the same time the pesto brings out a rich creaminess and sweet stone fruit found in the wine. A perfectly lovely rich and flavorful experience.

2018 Flora Springs Napa Valley Family Estate, Napa Valley, CA

2018 Raphael Midoir “La Plain des Cailloux” Touraine Oisly, Loire Valley, France

2018 Raphael Midoir “La Plain des Cailloux” Touraine Oisly, Loire Valley, France

ABV: 14%
SRP: text
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Importer:
Sample for my review

Appearance:  Very golden, buttercup, pale gold rim

Aroma: Such a lovely nose, honeysuckle, apricot, white stone fruit, yellow peach, yellow star jasmine, peach nectar, lemon, limestone,

Palate: Smooth, round, peach nectar, tart fresh peach on the finish, almond, Anjou pear, grassy, butterscotch pine,

Pairing: For Sue this wine was not the best with the asian food, it did not calm down the heat of the white pepper and ginger in the wonton, it did not go well with the sauce, however for me it worked, its fun flavorful and vibrant,  there is a vibrancy that works for both the wine and the food, I believe the secret ingredient was the fresh grated ginger that made the course shine with the wine, the fresh ginger aspect is what jumps out with this wine.  The Cesar salad and this wine are absolutely beautiful together, the rich creamy elements in both the food and the wine worked wonderfully together. while I liked this dish with the wine, I liked the wine better with our appetizers, the peppery quality of the naturism leaves works very nicely with the wine.

And later, on my own, I tasted…

Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ paired at a later date with Crab Cakes and a Strawberry Salad

2023 Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ

ABV: 13%
SRP: $15
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc certified NZ sustainable winegrowing
Importer: Shaw-Ross International Importers
Sample for my review

Rapaura Springs uses regenerative viticulture management. They compost grape material, plant cover crops, and grazing sheep. These practices replenish the land and sustain future vintages. They use irrigation technology and a water purification system to reduce water usage by 40% compared to the national average. The water is then recycled.

The label shows a circle of rocks signifying the pure spring in the heart of Marlborough and representing the winery’s connection to the waters originating high in the Southern Alps that deeply influence the winemaking process and vineyard management.

IMHO this wine is a steal at $15 SRP! Like many wines from NZ, this one has a screw cap.

Appearance:  Pale lemon yellow

Aroma: Lots of grapefruit, lemon, fresh sage, fresh mint. Very little gooseberry which is common in wines from NZ.

Palate: Ripe grapefruit, stone fruit, sea salt.

Pairing: The classic pairing of sourdough and goat cheese is so satisfying. The strawberry salad had feta and spiced nuts which worked well but it was the tangerine olive oil from The Groves on 41 in Templeton CA that really brought the salad together to pair with the wine. The star of the show was fried crab cakes which were prepared very simply to showcase both the crab and the wine. This would be a great series of starter courses.

Happy Sauvignon Blanc Day 2026!

Read about Viognier Day 2026 with wines from France and Paso Robles.

Read about Malbec Day 2026 with wines from Kaiken in Argentina.