Latest news with #RobertMondavi
New York Times
2 days ago
- New York Times
Great American Wines That Stand the Test of Time
It's rare to think of American wine in terms of a pantheon. American consumers have always been drawn more to what's flashy and new rather than to established producers who have demonstrated consistent, focused excellence over the long haul. Perhaps that's because few demonstrably great and influential producers have been able to stay the course without changes in ownership that radically altered the character of the wines. Robert Mondavi Winery is one example. With producers like Mayacamas Vineyards, Diamond Creek Vineyards and Heitz Cellar, the changes in ownership have been too recent to fully understand their effect. Who does that leave? I think immediately of Mount Eden Vineyards and Ridge Monte Bello in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In Napa Valley I would single out Philip Togni Vineyard, Spottswoode and Corison, and in Sonoma Valley, maybe Hanzell Vineyards. What about in newer areas with histories stretching back just a few decades? I nominate Littorai. Few growers and producers populated the western Sonoma Coast in 1993, when Ted and Heidi Lemon made their first vintage, 150 cases of chardonnay from the Mays Canyon Vineyard. The incessant fog, the isolation that might require a 90-minute drive to pick up a part and living off the grid made the area too difficult and risky for many. But the Lemons were drawn by the geological diversity. The area they settled on, mostly around the town of Occidental and farther north along the coast, was large and varied with many nooks and crannies. Mr. Lemon, whose training and early career were in Burgundy, was searching for areas in California where he could explore the sort of differing terroirs for chardonnay and pinot noir that he found so intriguing in France. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
This California wine region's coolest tasting room? The visitor center
There are more than 60 wine tasting rooms in the budding Lodi wine region, yet the best stopover is the last place you'd expect: the visitor center. Here, it's not about the decor (minimalist), the vibe (amiable) or even the inexpensive tasting fee (just $12). The main draw is the incredible wine selection: over 200 bottles from more than 70 local producers, most of which don't have their own tasting rooms. Located 35 miles south of Sacramento and long overshadowed by glitzy Bay Area destinations like Napa and Sonoma, Lodi (San Joaquin County) is a quiet farm town with no Michelin-starred restaurants or fancy resorts. The longtime home of the Robert Mondavi Winery-founded Woodbridge, it's historically known as a commodity region; the majority of Lodi's grapes are sold in bulk to California's largest wine companies and often placed on the bottom shelf. But this affordable region is slowly gaining recognition as one that's more diverse and premium than its reputation suggests. The 25-year-old Lodi Wine Visitor Center (2545 W. Turner Road), which is also the only true wine shop in the city, is leading the revival. In the ivy-covered, Tuscan-style building, you can find plenty of Lodi's signature Zinfandel, as well as natural wines, the Greek white wine Assyrtiko and an off-dry Verdelho made by a two-time Lodi mayor. All bottles are under $70. 'You can really come in and visually do a 360 in the tasting room and see how far (Lodi has) come and how many different types of wines there are,' said Stephanie Bolton, the research and education director of the grower-funded Lodi Winegrape Commission, which operates the center. 'Once you walk in the door, that becomes very clear.' Local tourism boards typically operate regional visitor centers, but Lodi is the only California wine region that has a visitor center dedicated exclusively to promoting local wines. It may seem surprising this isn't found in a region overflowing with wineries like Napa Valley, but Bolton believes that would create an overly competitive environment. 'You have to set a lot of fear and ego aside to do something like (this),' she said. Growers, on the other hand, all benefit from the collective effort. In Lodi, there's roughly 80,000 acres of grapes, but only about 85 wineries, and many of those winery owners were growers first, Bolton said. Increased demand for Lodi wines should translate to higher demand, and prices, for the grapes. 'There's a camaraderie and deep-rooted (feeling of), 'We're all in this together,'' said Paul Marsh, the visitor center's manager and wine club director. Founded in 2000, the Lodi Wine Visitor Center is located right off a main thoroughfare next to what many locals refer to as Lodi's 'one nice hotel,' Wine & Roses. The hotel was recently renamed Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa as part of a major renovation by celebrity wine country chef and hotelier Charlie Palmer. His new cafe, Maison Lodi, adjoins the visitor center. To establish the tasting room, which welcomes over 20,000 people a year, the Lodi Winegrape Commission had to create a 501(c)(3) educational foundation to secure an Alcohol Beverage Control license to serve and sell wine, recalled executive director Stuart Spencer. When it first opened in the same building as the commission's offices, the wine region had just seven tasting rooms, so the vision was to exclusively highlight wines made from Lodi grapes, including wines produced outside the region. The center still takes this seriously: Jeff Perlegos, co-owner of Perlegos Family Wine Co., said the commission rejected one of his wines because it was only partially made from Lodi grapes. Locals and industry members make up about 40% of the center's annual visitation, said Marsh, a former restaurateur and sommelier with red-rimmed glasses. But for tourists, it's designed to be the first stop on their visit, a sort of concierge that can help them curate an itinerary fit to their specific tastes. 'We have to be the stewards for Lodi right now, especially during this weird, wonky time in the wine business,' said Marsh. 'It's our job to make sure we get that person to that place they didn't know they needed to find.' Part of that stewardship is hiring qualified tasting hosts. '(Marsh) has had success recruiting sommeliers, which provides a very professional style tasting. Sometimes, you go into a tasting room and you just have people pouring the wine and they barely know their own product,' said Jeffrey Farthing, the longtime winemaker for Lodi's Michael David Winery. He sells wines from his small side project, Purple Corduroy, at the center. 'They have had a lot to do with the success of my teeny tiny brand,' he continued, estimating that the wine center sells over 60 cases of wine for him a year, almost as much as his distributor. 'They know me, they've taken the time to get to know me, learn the story of my wines, and they present that to the customer.' Lodi native and second-generation farmer Perlegos said his brand also 'benefits' from the staff's expertise as he works with some unconventional grapes like the Greek Assyrtiko and Sicily's Nero d'Avola. 'Our varieties are very different,' he said. 'They're very knowledgeable and they do a lot of work with the folks that come in there to educate them and show off what's different in Lodi versus other regions.' Wineries like Perlegos are slowly helping debunk the stereotype that Lodi is synonymous with big, high-alcohol red wines — mainly Zinfandel. 'Old Vine Zin is definitely the heartbeat of the area, but so many people are searching out Lodi fruit, not only because of the accessibility of it, but the fact you can do something Italian, Spanish or South African,' said Marsh, pointing to Pinotage, the stigmatized red grape that's most famous in South Africa, as an example. 'Some people are doing incredible Pinotage (in Lodi).' A tasting of four wines costs $12, and Marsh switches up the eight-wine lineup every week. 'The part that gets me is seeing that eyebrow raise. Someone says, 'I only drink Pinot Noir,' and I'll ask, 'When's the last time you had Carignan? Or Cinsault?' And a light bulb pops in their head,' he said. 'Everyone loves that old pair of Levi's that fits perfectly, but every once in a while, you've got to try a new pair of pants on and see if that changes some things.' Those eyebrow raisers have kept longtime local Barbara Rankin coming to the center about every month for the past decade. 'Variety is what I'm after. I want to find a gem,' she said. 'It's the only place to find cool, otherwise unknown wines.' Lodi Wine Visitor Center. 2545 W Turner Road, Lodi.
Globe and Mail
02-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Constellation Brands Closes Wine Transaction With The Wine Group to Focus on a Portfolio of Exclusively Higher-Growth, Higher-Margin Brands
ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), a leading beverage alcohol company, announced today that it has closed its previously announced transaction with The Wine Group to divest 1 primarily mainstream wine brands and associated inventory, facilities, and vineyards from its wine portfolio. Brands divested to The Wine Group include Woodbridge, Meiomi, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Cook's, SIMI, and J. Rogét sparkling wine. Constellation's retained wine portfolio consists of a collection of highly regarded wines from top regions around the world, predominantly priced $15 and above. This includes iconic Napa Valley brands Robert Mondavi Winery, Schrader, Double Diamond, To Kalon Vineyard Company, Mount Veeder Winery, and The Prisoner Wine Company; the My Favorite Neighbor family of wine brands from Paso Robles; Kim Crawford from New Zealand—producer of the #1 Sauvignon Blanc in the U.S. 2; acclaimed Tuscan producer Ruffino Estates and Ruffino Prosecco; sought-after gems like Sea Smoke from Santa Barbara's Santa Rita Hills AVA, Lingua Franca from Oregon's Willamette Valley, and more. This outstanding collection is complemented by Constellation's award-winning craft spirits portfolio including High West whiskey, Nelson's Green Brier whiskey, Mi CAMPO tequila, and Casa Noble tequila. 'We are pleased to have completed this transaction and look forward to executing against our repositioned portfolio, focused exclusively on the higher-end that more closely aligns to consumer-led premiumization trends which we believe will enable us to help deliver improved performance within this segment of our business over time,' said Bill Newlands, President and CEO, Constellation Brands. 'We appreciate the dedication of our internal teams, and the support and collaboration from The Wine Group and our business partners to help us close this transaction and seek to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.' Following the completion of the transaction, Constellation's fiscal year 2026 outlook and its outlook for fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028 provided on April 9, 2025 remain unchanged. 1 We sold and, in certain instances, exclusively licensed the trademarks of a portion of our wine and spirits business, primarily centered around our mainstream wine brands and associated inventory, wineries, vineyards, offices, and facilities 2 #1 in dollar sales, Circana, total U.S. Multi-Outlet + Convenience, 52 weeks ended May 18, 2025 ABOUT CONSTELLATION BRANDS Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe elevating human connections is Worth Reaching For. It's worth our dedication, hard work, and calculated risks to anticipate market trends and deliver for our consumers, shareholders, employees, and industry. This dedication is what has driven us to become one of the fastest-growing, large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver what's next. Every day, people reach for brands from our high-end, imported beer portfolio anchored by the iconic Corona Extra and Modelo Especial, a flavorful lineup of Modelo Cheladas, and favorites like Pacifico and Victoria; our exceptional wine brands including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, Schrader Cellars, and Lingua Franca; and our craft spirits brands such as Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey. As an agriculture-based company, we strive to operate in a way that is sustainable and responsible. Our ESG strategy is embedded into our business, and we focus on serving as good stewards of the environment, investing in our communities, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption. We believe these aspirations in support of our longer-term business strategy allow us to contribute to a future that is truly Worth Reaching For. To learn more, visit and follow us on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The word 'expect' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements may relate to business strategy, future operations, prospects, plans, and objectives of management, including related to executing against Constellation's repositioned wine portfolio, Constellation's efforts to align with consumer-led premiumization trends and to deliver improved performance within its wine and spirits segment over time, the transition of the divested brands and related inventory, facilities, and vineyards, and Constellation's outlook for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028, as well as information concerning expected actions of third parties. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will in fact occur or will occur on the timetable contemplated hereby. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Constellation does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. In addition to risks and uncertainties associated with ordinary business operations, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including any purchase price or other post‐closing adjustments, the accuracy of all projections, and other factors and uncertainties disclosed from time-to-time in Constellation Brands' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025, which could cause actual future performance to differ from current expectations.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Doubled Down on Constellation Brands Stock. Time to Buy?
Berkshire Hathaway increased its stake in Constellation Brands by 114%. A low forward valuation and above-average dividend yield should bolster the stock's value proposition. Shifting consumer patterns and tariffs could bode poorly for the stock. 10 stocks we like better than Constellation Brands › Over the last few quarters, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway was a net seller of stocks. This was also true of the most recent quarter, as its liquidity rose to $348 billion, up from $335 billion in the previous quarter. Still, Buffett and his team bought some stocks in Q1, and its fastest-growing position was Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ). The company increased its stake by 116% and now owns over 12 million shares. Nonetheless, investors like Buffett buy stocks for many reasons. Knowing that, should average investors follow Berkshire's lead in this Warren Buffett investment or stay on the sidelines? Berkshire began buying Constellation Brands stock in the fourth quarter of 2024. On the surface, it looks like a "Buffett stock" with relatively low valuation. Another attribute is the fact that Constellation owns the U.S.'s current No. 1 beer brand, Modelo. With other brands such as Corona beer, Robert Mondavi wine, and High West whiskey, it sells products with the enduring demand investors like Warren Buffett often seek. However, in January, the company reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 (ended Nov. 30, 2024). The misses on net sales and earnings and a $2.25 billion goodwill impairment led to a considerable sell-off in Constellation stock, and it dropped over 17% the day after its announcement. The stock steadily declined further before bottoming in February. While Buffett's team has not commented directly on its activity with this Constellation stock, it may have taken advantage of the lower stock price to more than double its share count. Even though the stock is up about 20% from that 52-week low, it trades at a 47 P/E ratio when figuring in the aforementioned goodwill impairment. Buffett's team likely based its valuation on the 15 forward P/E ratio, which makes it appear inexpensive and includes no one-time charges. Berkshire may also like its dividend. The annual payout of $4.08 per share offers a dividend yield of 2.1%, well above the 1.3% S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) average. Constellation Brands generated just over $1.9 billion in free cash flow in fiscal 2025 (ended Feb. 28). The 10 straight years of payout hikes may have baked in an expectation of rising dividends. Additionally, since the dividend cost the company $732 million during the same period, it can probably continue to raise its payout, making it an increasingly attractive income stock. However, before being so quick to follow Buffett and his team into Constellation Brands, investors should understand its challenges. For one, there's surprisingly low demand for alcohol among Gen Z. While a variety of factors may explain that decline, it could mean a possible long-term drop in demand for its beverages. Also, softening consumer spending appears to have affected all generations. This could hurt sales as more consumers seek better value. Furthermore, many of its most popular brands come from foreign countries. This is particularly concerning for Mexican beer Modelo, which only recently became the No. 1 beer after capturing the title from Anheuser-Busch InBev's Bud Light. In light of its situation, the company believes it will achieve -2% to 1% net sales growth in 2026. For its "medium-term" forecast, the company previously predicted 6% to 8% net sales growth for fiscal 2027 and 2028. Now, with the possible effects of tariffs added, the company revised the net sales increase to the 2% to 4% range, indicating Constellation shareholders might face years of pain. Under current conditions, Constellation Brands stock looks like a buy for average investors. Admittedly, worries about tariff effects, consumer sentiment, and demographic trends arguably justified a lower earnings multiple, since sales growth appears it is on track to fall. Nonetheless, with the company on track to sell at just 15 times earnings, the sell-off in Constellation Brands stock appears overdone. Moreover, with the dividend yield of over 2% and more payout hikes likely coming, investors have the potential to earn significant returns from both stock price growth and income. Hence, as investors receive more clarity on the tariff front, they may return to this stock, lifting share values over time. Before you buy stock in Constellation Brands, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Constellation Brands wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $642,582!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $829,879!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 975% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Will Healy has positions in Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends Constellation Brands. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Doubled Down on Constellation Brands Stock. Time to Buy? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Forbes
21-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Dynamic Sauvignon Blanc From Napa Valley
Gamble Ranch, planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Yountville, Napa Valley Photo by Olaf Beckmann Cabernet Sauvignon may be the signature grape of Napa Valley, but Sauvignon Blanc - despite representing only six percent of the area's plantings, as compared to 54% for Cabernet Sauvignon - is a regal counterpart. Yes, Chardonnay accounts for more than twice the acreage of Sauvignon Blanc, but over the past decade or so, a few dozen local producers have raised the bar with Sauvignon Blanc, resulting in higher quality and distinctive styles that have resulted in wines that rival the best examples from areas around the world. Why is Napa Valley such an excellent area for Sauvignon Blanc, and how are producers working with this grape to create such memorable offerings? Tom Gamble of Gamble Estates in Oakville, recalls that he, 'fell in love with Sauvignon Blanc, before he fell in love with his wife.' He was not overly thrilled with some of the early examples of Sauvignon Blanc from California, preferring instead the classic offerings from France. 'I was captivated by the varietal style I discovered during trips to Europe in my late teens and early 20s, ' Gamble states. 'The aromatics of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs and subsequently the complexity I found among top-tier white Bordeaux during my travels influenced my early winemaking decisions, and that continues to this day.' Sauvignon Blanc grapes in a vineyard of Gamble Estates, Napa Valley Photo by Frank Gutierrez At the Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, director of winemaking Kurtis Ogasawara sources much of the Sauvignon Blanc for the winery from the Oakville District. He explains the reasons for this, saying, 'Oakville's location in Napa Valley, roughly halfway up the valley, makes it a great location for growing Sauvignon Blanc. We get enough heat during the day to achieve full ripeness but also receive the influence of the morning fog which helps maintain freshness in our wines.' Estate vineyard at Spottwoode, St. Helena, Napa Valley. The winery produces one of Napa Valley's most highly praised examples of Sauvignon Blanc. Photo courtesy Spottswoode For Spottswoode Vineyards, farther north in Napa Valley, winemaker Aron Weinkauf crafts a Sauvignon Blanc that is a blend of fruit from both Napa and Sonoma, with a slightly higher percentage from Napa. He notes that initially much of this wine was from Napa, but that some of the growers in the valley started to rip out the vines in favor of the more profitable Cabernet Sauvignon. For Weinkauf, his belief is that the grapes he sources are from 100% organically farmed sites. 'We have spent time looking and working with many different vineyards, and over the years, I have very much focused on vineyards that have great natural vegetative balance.' He adds that he has particular favorite clones that he favors, and prefers to blend in about 10% Semillon, as this grape, 'is important for what we are stylistically seeking.' While many Sauvignon Blanc producers age the wine in stainless steel tanks, more and more these days there are winemakers that prefer to age partly in oak casks as well. 'French oak is an important piece of our winemaking for these wines,' remarks Ogasawara. 'Barrel fermentation and battonage help with creating texture and mouthfeel that balances the natural acidity that is found in Sauvignon Blanc. For our new barrels incorporated in the blend, we select barrels that are respectful to the fruit and add complexity. Our goal with barrels is not to cover the fruit but help push more intensity and add texture to the wine.' Tom Gamble, one of Napa Valley's leading producers of Sauvignon Blanc Photo courtesy Gamble Estates For Gamble, 'it was a 'very thoughtful decision because white wines can be overcooked and become flabby very quickly in our warm California climate. On the other hand, stainless steel allows no oxygen interaction with the wine, so you can get a really lean, austere wine because the vessel doesn't have the subtle micro-oxygenation that happens in the barrel. We wanted to have a more approachable mouthfeel without the consequences of over-oaking, so we've been strategic about how to approach that. 'After years of experimenting, we've found how to make a beautiful, complex, age-worthy Sauvignon Blanc in oak by being meticulous about using only the finest, tightly grained French oak barrels. We use a combo of cigar barrels (a Dagueneau invention, note that Dagueneau is a famed producer of Sauvignon Blanc-based wines in France, ed.) and barriques, with only 30% new French oak.' So after all is said and done, what is the future of Sauvignon Blanc in Napa Valley? Gamble addresses this issue; 'I think there is more interest in high-quality Sauvignon Blanc than there used to be, but it remains a small fraction of Napa Valley's overall plantings. I think it's likely to remain a niche for us, simply because it's a less popular variety here than others like Cabernet Sauvignon. With that said, we will continue to cultivate and experiment with Sauvignon Blanc and would love to see its presence expand.' Notes on recommended new releases of Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc (aka Fumé Blanc with certain releases from Robert Mondavi): Exterior of Inglenook, Rutherford, where one of Napa Valley's most stylish examples of Sauvignon Blanc is produced. Chad Keig Cuvaison Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Napa Valley, Los Carneros) A blend of 93% Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Semillon. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. Bright, light yellow; aromas of freshly cut grass, melon and a hint of basil. Medium-bodied with good acidity, this is clean and nicely balanced and has good varietal character. Straightforward, and a bit simple, this is quite drinkable and should be enjoyed fresh over the next two to three years. (88) $28 Sauvignon Blanc 'Méthode Béton 2023 (Napa Valley, Los Carneros) The word 'béton' in French means 'concrete,' describing this wine being aged in concrete eggs. 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the estate in Carneros. Bright, medium-deep yellow; aromas of Bosc pear, red apple, citrus peel and elderflowers. Medium-full, this displays excellent varietal character, very good acidity, and a delicate mineral-driven finish that is very satisfying. Beautifully evocative, this would pair beautifully with shrimp or lighter shellfish. Enjoy over the next three to five years. (91) $50 Cliff Lede (Yountville) Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Napa Valley) A blend of 77% Sauvignon Blanc and 23% Semillon; fermented in French oak barrels (86%) and stainless-steel tanks (14%). Bright, medium deep yellow; aromas of Bosc pear, spearmint and hints of basil and apricot. Medium-full, this combines beautiful ripeness and varietal purity with subtle wood notes and a lengthy, elegant finish with delicate notes of white spice. Nicely textured, this is a lovely wine! Enjoy over the next four to six years. (93) Pine Ridge (Stags Leap District, Napa Valley) Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) 100% Sauvignon Blanc; about two-thirds of the fruit comes from Ryan's Vineyard near San Pablo Bay. Bright, medium deep yellow; aromas of freshly cut hay, a hint of pineapple and musk melon. Medium-bodied, with vibrant, lip-smacking acidity, this is a highly appealing Sauvignon Blanc that is fresh and lively, offering excellent varietal purity and inviting ripeness. Well-done! Enjoy tonight or over the next two to four years with foods ranging from grilled swordfish to Oriental chicken or sautéed bay scallops. (93) $45 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc North Coast 2023 A blend of 91% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Semillon; the grapes are from the North Coast appellation of California, including Sonoma County, Napa Valley, Lake County and Mendocino County. Bright, medium yellow; delicate aromas of hay and spearmint. There is tangy acidity and nice harmony, but overall, the wine is rather simple, as it lacks complexity. I miss the classic Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc from Duckhorn, which offered greater complexity and texture. Drink over the next two to three years. (88) Silverado Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Miller Ranch 2023 (Yountville, Napa Valley, Estate Grown) Bright, medium deep yellow; aromas of basil, chervil, melon and freshly cut grass. Medium-full, with impressive ripeness and depth of fruit. There are beautiful, classic Sauvignon Blanc flavors, along with very good acidity and notable persistence; the finish displays appealing notes of ginger and tarragon. Expressive and very well made, enjoy now and over the next four to six years. (93) Brandlin Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Mount Veeder, Napa Valley) 100% Sauvignon Blanc; aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak. Bright, light yellow; aromas of vanilla, tarragon and pear. Medium-full, this is ripe and well-structured; there is good acidity and notable persistence, as well as very good varietal character. I'd prefer a little less oak influence, but otherwise, this is a well-made wine; enjoy over the next two to four years. (91) Malk Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Napa Valley) Fermented with wild yeast, barrel aged for nine months. Bright, medium deep yellow; aromas of freshly cut grass, basil, yellow flowers and a hint of mint. Medium-bodied with an elegant entry on the palate, very good persistence and tangy acidity. The finish is quite complex, with notes of tarragon and chervil. Given its herbal character, this demands strongly flavored seafood preparations, such as roast sea scallops or grilled swordfish. Enjoy over the next two to three years. (92) Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Napa County 52%, Sonoma County 48%) A blend of 93% Sauvignon Blanc, 7% Semillon; vinified in a combination of stainless steel, French oak barrels, amphora and ceramic cuves. Bright, medium deep yellow; striking aromas of basil, hay bale, pear and delicate hints of lime and dill. Medium-full, with excellent depth of fruit, a rich mid-palate, significant persistence, very good acidity, notable varietal purity and outstanding harmony and complexity; this is a stellar offering if Sauvignon Blanc where the wood notes remain in the background, while adding texture. Enjoy now or over the next six to eight years; grilled swordfish or halibut would be an ideal match. (95) Lail Vineyards (Angwin) Sauvignon Blanc 'Georgia' 2023 100% Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from Yountville; fermented and aged for 20 months in 60% new French oak. Bright, medium deep yellow; expressive aromas of chervil, grapefruit, papaya and hints of acacia flowers and honey. Medium-full, with excellent concentration, this is a beautifully textured Sauvignon Blanc, with lively acidity, well-integrated wood notes and notable persistence; the finish offers notes of citrus peel and lime. Produced more in the style of a white Bordeaux than a Loire white, this is a Sauvignon Blanc lovers' Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy over the next three to six years. (94) Kelleher (St. Helena) Sauvignon Blanc 'Block 21' 2023 (Napa Valley) 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from hills in eastern Napa Valley. Bright, delicate yellow; appealing varietal aromas of pear, freshly cut grass, grapefruit and sunflowers. Medium-bodied, this has beautifully freshness, very good acidity and impressive persistence. Offering notable varietal character and alluring charm, this is a delightful young Sauvignon Blanc to be enjoyed now and over the next four to six years. (92) Double Diamond (Rutherford) Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Napa Valley) Vinted and bottled by Schrader Cellars. A blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon; the grapes are sourced from To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, as well as the Wappo Hill vineyard in the Stags Leap District. Fermented in oak barrel (73%) and tank (23%); aged in steel (84%) and oak (16%). Medium-deep yellow; aromas of pear, a hint of coriander and hay bale. Medium-full to full-bodied (14.5% alcohol), this is a richly textured Sauvignon Blanc with excellent ripeness, significant persistence and very good acidity. The wood notes are restrained, there is excellent complexity, and the finish displays notes of basil and yellow pear. Very impressive, this has enough concentration to pair with roast pork or spaghetti carbonara. Enjoy over the next five to seven years. (94) Stewart Cellars (Oakville) Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Oakville, Napa Valley) 100% Sauvignon Blanc from a vineyard in Oakville. Bright, delicate yellow; very pretty aromas of tangerine, lime, melon and orange zest. Medium-bodied, with excellent freshness, very good acidity and harmony. This is a Sauvignon Blanc that focuses on fruit rather than herbal qualities. Enjoy over the next two to four years. (91) Beaulieu Vineyard (Rutherford) Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Napa Valley) 100% Sauvignon Blanc; aged for five months in new French oak. Bright, delicate yellow; aromas of freshly cut grass, melon and hints of grapefruit and basil. Medium-bodied, there is good acidity and freshness, along with very fine varietal purity. Overall, the wine is well-balanced, clean and made in a subdued manner that would not overwhelm food pairings such as sautéed scallops or shrimp. Enjoy over the next two to four years. (90) Robert Mondavi Winery (Oakville, Napa Valley) Fumé Blanc The Estates 2022 (Oakville, Napa Valley) Just about every producer in Napa Valley owes a great deal of debt to Robert Mondavi, especially regarding Sauvignon Blanc. When Mondavi produced his initial releases from his now-iconic winery in Oakville on Highway 29 in Napa Valley, he labeled his Sauvignon Blanc as Fumé Blanc, a nod to Pouilly-Fumé and other famous Sauvignon Blanc-based wines from France's Loire Valley. Today, the winery labels some of their wines from this varietal as Sauvignon Blanc, while continuing the use of the term Fumé Blanc for their finest examples. A blend of 87% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Semillon, all from Oakville vineyards. Bright, medium-deep yellow; enticing aromas of mango, Anjou pear, orange rose and a hint of pine. Medium-full, with excellent ripeness. There is noteworthy texture along with outstanding varietal purity. There is excellent persistence, very good acidity and significant length in the finish, which offers delicate notes of grapefruit, melon and a hint of basil. Wonderful complexity, this is very well made and is quite stylish. Enjoy with Oriental cuisine (sweet and sour pork would be ideal) over the next five to seven years. (93) Gamble Estates (Oakville, Napa Valley) Sauvignon Blanc Yountville 2024 (Yountville, Napa Valley) 100% Sauvignon Blanc from two clones, including Musqué, which brings beautiful aromatics. Barrel aged on the lees for six months; 15% new oak. Bright, delicate yellow; with a touch of CO2, which is normal for such a young wine. Aromas of freshly cut grass, Bosc pear, lilacs and a hint of passion fruit. Medium-full, this offers superb complexity and excellent varietal purity in a restrained, understated fashion; there is a wonderful cleanliness to the wine. There is zesty acidity, notable persistence and excellent overall harmony. The finish is lengthy and pure, with subtle notes of basil and spearmint. This is so appealing now, but I can't wait to try it again over the next several months and years, as it reveals great complexities. Peak in six to eight years. Lovely food wine, especially with sautéed scallops, Oriental pork or delicately spiced Thai chicken. (95) Gamble Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Bright, medium deep yellow, lovely aromas of basil, orange zest, golden poppy and a hint of spearmint. Medium full with ideal ripeness, good acidity, excellent persistence, and lovely varietal purity. Offering beautiful typicity and harmony, this is seamless, and displays a sensual refinement in its presence. Enjoy over the next five to seven years. (94) Acumen (Napa) Sauvignon Blanc 'Peak' 2023 (Atlas Peak, Napa Valley) 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the winery's estate Attelas vineyard on Atlas Peak. Bright, medium yellow; aromas of honeydew melon, freshy cut hay, dried yellow flowers and a hint of basil. Quite rich in the palate, this displays excellent varietal character, and has very good acidity and notable persistence; the finish has notes of passionfruit and mint; the wood notes add texture but remain in the background. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years. (93) Inglenook (Rutherford) Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Rutherford, Napa Valley) A blend of 76% Sauvignon Blanc, 24% Semillon; aged in stainless steel tanks (40%) and 60% French oak, of which 21% is new; eight months of aging sur lie. Bright, medium yellow; lovely aromatics of melon, spearmint, lime and elderflowers. Medium-full, there is notable ripeness, very good acidity, excellent persistence and a light flintiness in the finish. There is outstanding typicity and beautiful texture as well as superb harmony and freshness. Pair this with any number of dishes, ranging from sautéed scallops and grilled shrimp to ceviche, and enjoy over the next three to six years. (94)
