Little Engine Silver Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦

🍇 Sauvignon Blanc⁣

⁣

🧐 Alcohol 13.1%⁣

⁣

🍁 My Score 90 Points ⁣

⁣

🔹 A beautiful bright nose with aromas of lemons, gooseberries, honeydew melon, tropical fruit and fresh herbs. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with great energy, refreshing flavours and crisp acidity. The finish is medium length with delicious forward fruits like lemons, apples and peaches. ⁣

⁣

🔸 There’s no denying the fact that the aromatics takes you directly to the house of Sauvignon Blanc. This was my last of three bottles and no bottle variation here. They where all very good, refreshing and flavourful. Such a delightful food wine with many pairing possibilities. Now I just need to acquire their new vintage 2019. Should I wait till I visit them in September or should I order on line 🤔 Cheers my wine friends.

Winemaker’s Cut Sauvignon Blanc 2019, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦

🍇 Sauvignon Blanc

🧐 Alcohol 12%

🍁 My Score 90 Points

🧩 Estate fruit, hand harvested, wild & organic yeast, 85% stainless steel remaining 15% in Slovakian oak with a production of 800 cases.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

A classic nose of a Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of gooseberry, pears, hints of dry herbs, light floral and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, dry with a slightly creamy texture, complex flavours and fresh acidity. The finish is medium length with sweet and tart flavours and mineral notes.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

As most of you may know, I usually prefer un-oaked SB but Michal Mosny wines are always well made, elegant showing us the beautiful subtlety of his winemaking style. The addition of the Slovakian oak softens up the acidity and ensures the wine has a beautiful texture and complexity, which makes this SB ideal for the dinner table or equally enjoyable on it’s own. Beautiful wine and strongly recommended. Cheers my wine friends 🙂

Touring Ontario Wine Country

Getting my feet wet last Friday with these two wineries in Niagara-on-The-Lake

First stop at Stratus Vineyards. It’s great to finally visit this winery, I have read so many great reviews about their wines. I tasted through an extensive selection of their wines from white, reds and sweeter wines, all led by the very knowledgeable Ben. My favorites,

🍇 Stratus Red 2016 a blend of all five Bordeaux varietals plus Petit Verdot and Tannat
🍇 Botrytis Affected Sémillon 2017
🍇 Riesling Ice Wine 2017

It’s obvious there is a lot of attention to details in everything they do at Stratus. The entire tasting was a real treat, specifically their Botrytis Affected Sémillon 😋

Second stop at Two Sisters Vineyards. I have rarely been a fan of Canadian Sauvignon, well let me tell you how stunning this 2018 Sauvignon Blanc was; I usually prefer my SB to be stainless steel only, with no oak to preserve this varietals crisp acidity. First year that they made their SB without oak and it’s a winner. The best Canadian SB I have ever had. It is very aromatic, with a flavourful, crisp and refreshing acidity. Overall a very pleasant tasting led by Melissa, very knowledgeable. My favourites;

🍇 Sauvignon Blanc 2018
🍇 Cabernet Franc 2015

More wineries to come. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

This wine is made with 100% hand harvested Sauvignon Blanc, with maturation in stainless steel tanks (no oak) and alcohol coming in at 13.5%.

Greeny yellow in color, this wine opened up with a very intense bouquet of passion fruit, fresh squeezed grapefruit/lime fruit with a stony mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with an intense citrus/lemonade flavours and lively acidity. This Sauvignon Blanc finish is long, edgy, clean and refreshing. It is best enjoyed with food like chicken, pasta in a cream sauce or a nice summer salad. Just as enjoyable as their 2011 vintage, strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased April 13, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (677450) at $22.95

Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes, maturation taking place in stainless steel only (no oak) and alcohol coming in at 13.5%

Greeny straw in color, this Sauvignon Blanc opens up with aromas of gooseberry, white grapefruit, passion fruit, flinty and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, intense tangy, zesty fruit, light tropical fruit flavours and lively acidity. This wines finish is long, refreshing with bright flavours lingering. This is a textbook Sauvignon Blanc made to be enjoyed at the table paired with white meat or seafood. A very enjoyable wine, score 90 points.

Purchased September 29, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (677450) at $21.95

Jackson Estate Stich Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

 

Beautiful and fresh aromatics in this unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of lemon, grapefruit and pineapple. On the mouthfeel it is medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13%) with flavours of sweet and sour fruit, excellent fruit and acid balance. This Sauvignon Blanc finish is long, a bit edgy and slightly tart like citrus pit. Definitely better with food, score 87 points.

Purchased November 10, 2012 LCBO New Release (963124) at $19.95

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

My love affair with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is not about to change with this wine, instead it just gets stronger. This wine opened up with wonderful, fresh aromas of lime, grapefruit, passion fruit and white pepper. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with alcohol coming in at 13%, very fresh with great energy, almost creamy (most likely by the wine remaining on its yeast lees for several months) with good balance between fruit and lively acidity. This Sauvignon Blancs finish is long, clean, crisp, refreshing with great flavours. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased September 15, 2012 LCBO New Release (974527) at $21.95  

Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Napa Valley, California, USA

I don’t usually enjoy a Sauvignon Blanc that t is blended with Sémillon, but I had tasted this wine at the California Wine Fair here in Ottawa last March. I liked it and thought that; paired with the right food it would be very enjoyable. This wine is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon. Portions of this SB were fermented in 100% French oak Château-Style barrels (60 gallons), 15% fermented in new oak, with alcohol coming in at 13.5%.

 

This wine opens up with aromas of lemon-lime, pear, pineapple and fresh herbs. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with fresh acidity and rich flavours of lemon meringue and pineapple with a touch of honey.  Good length on the finish, almost creamy with great flavours and refreshing. I paired this wine with Chicken lasagna with artichoke and a béchamel sauce and it worked quite well. Very enjoyable, score 89 points.

Purchased April 28, 2012 LCBO New Release (094375) at $28.95

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

This Sauvignon Blanc is the style of SB that is tailor-made for my palate, citrus and tropical fruit, clean, crisp, refreshing and un-oaked. This wine opens up with aromas of pink grapefruit, lime, gooseberry, pineapple and pine nettle. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13%), a bit edgy, intensely flavourful, with zesty acidity. Clean and refreshing finish with flavours of citrus-passion fruit and a bit of residual sugar coating your mouth. Just as beautiful as when I tasted this SB at the New Zealand Wine Fair here in Ottawa last May. Glad I bought more than one bottle, strongly recommended. Score 91 points.

 

Purchased July 21, 2012 LCBO New Release (278556) at $19.95

Five Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2011, St David Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

I had the opportunity to enjoy this wine over dinner, with friends at a local restaurant, Beckta Dining & Wine. Five Rows is a boutique winery, all estate grown fruit with a very interesting story. There were 99 cases produced of this Sauvignon Blanc (SB), 75% of the SB was fermented in four older French oak barrels (2x 2007 DAMY and 2x 2003 Berthomieu) the remaining 25% in stainless steel.

This wine opens up with aromas of citrus fruit (lemon-lime), gooseberry, yellow plum with light spices and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, a light to medium bodied wine(alcohol coming in at 12.4%), soft texture and refreshing flavours with excellent fruit-acid balance. The finish is very fresh, crisp with great energy and length. This is a well crafted, elegant Sauvignon Blanc, which when on a wine list makes the work of the Sommelier easier, because of the wine’s food friendly nature can easily match with so many varieties of food. In our case, three different appetizers paired with Five Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and very much enjoyed by all. It is always nice to discover a new winery, thanks to Beckta’s Sommelier, Pieter Van den Weghe, for the excellent recommendation. Wine score, 91 points.  

Five Rows web address; http://www.fiverows.com/

Beckta Dining & Wine; http://beckta.com/

Enjoyed on September 7, 2012, restaurant price $58.00.

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand

This wine is a blend of 94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Sémillon, all certified organic grapes, with 10% of the Sauvignon Blanc and all of the Sémillon fermented in seasoned French oak, with alcohol coming in at 14%.

This wine opens up with aromas of grassy herbaceous notes, citrus fruit, ripe tropical fruit, honey and minerals. On the palate, medium bodied, citrus fruit flavours, creamy texture and lively acidity. Short finish on this SB with sweet and tart flavours and noticeable heat from the alcohol. This is a SB which needs spicy food like Indian or Thai. This is not the style of SB I enjoy, a little too creamy for me and not refreshing enough. Score 87 points.     

Purchased April 28, 2012 LCBO New Release (735043) at $21.95    

Two Rivers of Marlborough Convergence Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand

The grapes of this 100% Sauvignon Blanc are from two separate vineyards located on the banks of the Wairau and Awatere rivers.  A percentage of the wine was aged on natural yeast lees in French oak for 3 months to add complexity and texture, the rest of the aging process took place in stainless steel tanks.
This textbook New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc opens up with fresh bouquet of gooseberry, lime, passion fruit and fresh tarragon and mineral notes. On the palate, medium bodied with alcohol at 13.5%, lively acidity with that same freshness on the nose carrying through on the mouthfeel.  Very good length with mouth watering crisp finish and citrus flavours lingering. I paired this SB with roast chicken with lemons and it worked beautifully. An intense and refreshing wine here, strongly recommended. Score 91 points.

Purchased on April 28, 2012 LCBO New Release (277707) at $29.95

Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2010, Loire, France

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc was greeny straw in colour and opened up with aromas of grapefruit, lime, fresh chives, floral and mineral notes. On the palate, medium bodied, low alcohol at 12.5%, bright and edgy texture with racy acidity and citrus flavours. The finish is long, rich and refreshing. This wine is definitely made to enjoy with food like white fish, shellfish or grilled chicken salad with goat cheese. Very attractive Sauvignon Blanc, score 90 points.

Purchased March 3, 2012 LCBO New Release (264945) at $24.95

Kim Crawford SP Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand

This Sauvignon Blanc from Kim Crawford is a definite step up in quality compared to there regular offering and well worth the extra dollars. On the nose, a very fresh and intense aromatics with aromas of grapefruit, passion  fruit, sweet tropical fruit, minerals and hints of fresh herbs. The mouthfeel is almost creamy (partly barrel fermented?) with loads of energy, refreshing and food friendly acid with flavours of citrus and sweet tropical fruit flavours and minerals notes. This Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc finish is fresh and lively, very refreshing. A definite food wine, score 90 points.   

  

This wine was purchased February 4, 2012 LCBO New Release (038240) at $24.95

Terravin Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand

The Terravin 2009 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc comes from a parcel of land in Marlborough’s Cowley Family Vineyard. This SB was partially fermented in seasoned French Oak (33% to be exact). Lovely aromas of passion fruit,  gooseberry, grapefruit and lemon notes, fresh grass, wet stone and some minerality as well. All of this leads to a grapefruit freshness on the mouthfeel, with still noticeable acidity, but tamed by partial oak fermentation which gave it a smooth texture. This wine finish is long, refreshing with a hint of sweetness. I usually prefer an on unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, but this one was so enjoyable. This wine was a little expensive for a SB, but factor in the cost of French oak barrels and its worth the added value to up the quality of this wine. Strongly recommended.

This wine was purchased September 17, 2011 LCBO New Release at $29.95.

Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand

A bright pale yellow with green tinge, this Sauvignon Blanc has fragrant aromas of lemon, lime, fresh cut grass and green pea. The palate is dry, medium bodied with bright and racy acidity. The finish is long, citrusy and refreshing. This wine is a venture of the Antinori house of Tuscany, Italy.

This wine was purchased on June 11, 2011 LCBO New Release at $19.95