2008 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Cloudy Bay produces classical Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but does so at a significant price premium...perhaps that's why it's under the LVMH umbrella. If you're lucky, you can find it for under $20. Frankly, if I were to suggest a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, I'd go with The Crossings at half the price.

Bright citrus aromas with flavors of grapefruit, lime, green pepper, and a touch of passion fruit complemented by a crisp acidity and juicy finish.

Stay tuned for a recap of today's tastings

You can expect an upcoming summary of a day full of tastings in the outskirts outside of Boston in couple of days:

Grand Tasting at Gordon's Fine Wine & Liquors in Waltham

Fall Tasting at Spirited Gourmet in Winchester

Followed by an evening at the restaurant where I learned about a neighbor of Peter Michael who makes less than 100 cases of lovely sauvignon blanc, Knight's Bridge, which also has an awesome website, with recipes, maps, and excellent food pairings with their wine--I'm feeling a trend of only 100 cases of each. Here's one of the pairings:

2006 Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon: Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard:

Herb-crusted lamb loin with terrine of potatoes and local radish/haricot vert salad. For dessert, couple with chocolate soufflé cake with crème anglaise and fresh blackberries.

P.S. The Spirited Gourmet in Belmont has a series of magnums like Grgich Hills 02 Cabernet Sauvignon on clearance, ones that I bet are close to peaking and in some rare cases, getting ready for the long haul of 10 years, maybe more. I've been tempted, but have yet to succumb.

Also, Gordon's hosts awesomes events, like the Sommelier Smackdown, 4 courses, 2 sommeliers, 8 different glasses of wine, you choose the winner, hosted by Sel De La Terre duo: Ian Grossman and Louis DiBicarri.

1997 Kalin Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

Found this beauty at Eastern Standard (ESK) for around $50 after attending Sommelier Smackdown where Kate Moore of L'Espalier took the crown from Todd Lipman of Bin 26 Enoteca as they dueled it out to pair 4 wines to the theme of Breakfast for Dinner.

Deep golden color, subtle fruit, traces of sweetness, low acidity, nice creamy'ish mouthfeel, long finish.