90 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River
Valley Flax Vineyard 2017 $ 63 A spicy style, with
ripeness to the dark cherry, blackberry tart and dark
currant flavors, matched to forest floor accents. Slate and
graphite overtones show on the finish, revealing firm tan-
nins. Drink now through 2024. 580 cases made.—K.M.
90 MacRostie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Terra
de Promissio 2017 $ 58 Very crisp, with leafy accents
to the dried red fruit and spice flavors. Hints of cinnamon
emerge midpalate, revealing a finish that lingers with co-
coa powder accents. Drink now through 2023. 452 cases
made.—K.M.
90 Ram’s Gate Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2017
$ 46 This snappy version features well-defined notes of
licorice and hot spice to the dried red currant, cherry and
pomegranate flavors. Dried savory herb accents show on
the taut finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,400 cases
made.—K.M.
90 Schug Pinot Noir Carneros 2018 $ 35
Vibrant cherry, plum and currant flavors are supported by
fine-grained tannins. Hints of hot stone emerge midpal-
ate, leading to a finish that lingers with cedar and spice
accents and zesty minerality. Drink now through 2023.
4,120 cases made.—K.M.
90 D.R. Stephens Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Silver Eagle Vineyard 2018 $ 75 Offers a zesty aroma,
with flavors to match, offering moderately ripe dark plum,
boysenberry and dark cherry elements, backed by medium-
grained tannins. Asian spice notes emerge on the lithe
finish. Drink now through 2023. 142 cases made.—K.M.
90 Windstream Pinot Noir Santa Lucia High-
lands Sarmento Vineyard 2018 $ 40 Brambly and
ripe, with chocolate and crème de cassis flavors that are
backed by firm tannins and acidity. The finish is filled with
intense Asian spice accents that turn creamy. Drink now
through 2024. 750 cases made.—K.M.
89 Carpe Diem Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2016
$ 30 A loamy character accents the dried red currant
and huckleberry flavors, supported by firm acidity. Hints
of hot spice and paprika show on the finish, with notes of
slate. Drink now through 2023. 3,167 cases made.—K.M.
89 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Sea
Slopes 2017 $ 35 A seductive toasty hint accents the
ripe cherry and boysenberry flavors. The suave finish glis-
tens with notes of Asian spice and mineral. Drink now
through 2023. 5,440 cases made.—K.M.
88 Castle Rock Pinot Noir Mendocino County
2018 $ 13 See Best Values, page 96.
88 Siduri Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2018
$ 29 Snappy, offering hints of licorice to the plum, dried
raspberry and spiced cherry flavors. Cedar and spice notes
show on the finish. Drink now. 13,282 cases made.—K.M.CALIFORNIA
Sauvignon Blanc94 Hall Sauvignon Blanc Knights Valley 2018
$ 35 Stylish and memorable, this white strikes an ideal
balance between richness and vibrancy, with a spicy,
smoky note of palo santo and a juicy, crisp core of lemon
curd, orange sherbet and dried apricot flavors. A touch of
green tea lingers on the finish. Drink now through 2030.
1,225 cases made.—M.W.
94 Peter Michael Sauvignon Blanc Knights
Valley L’Après-Midi 2018 $ 64 Balances elegance and
power. A smoky thread weaves in and out of succulent
peach, marmalade, lemon sherbet and candied ginger
flavors, set on a supple and fleshy texture. The acidity is
pure and refreshing, keeping all the details in focus on the
long finish. Drink now. 2,939 cases made.—M.W.93 Desparada Sauvignon
Blanc York Mountain Vela
Chelle Mountain 2018 $ 40
Distinctive and stylish, this white
packs a wallop of intensity, with or-
ange blossom, Key lime and ruby
grapefruit flavors that are generous,
vibrant and mouthwatering. A
touch of matcha green tea lingers
on the finish. Drink now. 67 cases
made.—M.W.VAILIA FROM
Owner & Winemaker93 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian
River Valley 2018 $ 36 A pretty thread of orange
water adds an aromatic lift to the core of nectarine, apri-
cot and lemon zest flavors, set on a succulent, fleshy
frame. Dried ginger, honeysuckle and melon notes linger
on the long, expressive finish. Drink now. 12,500 cases
made.—M.W.
93 Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Oakville To
Kalon Vineyard Reserve 2017 $ 55 An aromatic,
intriguing mix of honeysuckle, lemon curd and dried
mango, set on a rich, succulent body. A fresh thread of
acidity weaves in and out, keeping the flavors light-footed
and refreshing. Details of beeswax and saline offer a
savory finish. Drink now. 1,329 cases made.—M.W.
92 Acumen Sauvignon Blanc Atlas Peak Peak
2018 $ 75 An aromatic mix of fennel, lime zest, melon
and peppery white floral notes lend complexity and
nuance to the core of peach, mango and coconut water
flavors. A supple frame and detailed finish add to the
charm. Drink now. 112 cases made.—M.W.
92 Desparada Sauvignon Blanc Santa Maria
Valley Acacia Presqu’ile Vineyard 2018 $ 38 Cham-
omile and orange zest aromas add detail to the core of
dried mango, peach and mandarin orange flavors. Supple
and juicy, with a touch of chicory adding a spicy accent
on the finish. Drink now. 54 cases made.—M.W.
92 Dragonette Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon
of Santa Barbara Vogelzang Vineyard 2017 $ 50
Complex, offering vibrant lemon, grapefruit and passion
fruit flavors that mingle effortlessly with lanolin, dried hon-
eysuckle and spice details. Finishes with intensity and a
grace note of beeswax. Drink now. 250 cases made.—M.W.
92 Lewis Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2018
$ 40 Complex and impressive, offering notes of white
pepper, dried ginger and fennel pollen that add an
aromatic twist to the supple and juicy melon and manda-
rin orange flavors at the core. Crisp and refreshing on the
finish. Drink now. 300 cases made.—M.W.
92 Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley
The Quivira Collection Wine Creek Ranch Vineyard
2018 $ 32 Powerful, aromatic and intense, offering a
mouthwatering mix of lime, grapefruit and lemon flavors,
with hints of makrut lime leaf, freshly grated ginger and
thyme. Drink now. 312 cases made.—M.W.
91 Desparada Sauvignon Blanc Santa Maria
Valley Cigare Presqu’ile Vineyard 2018 $ 38 Whiffs
of jasmine and freshly grated ginger mingle with crisp,
fresh white grapefruit, sage and Meyer lemon flavors.
Refreshing and transparent on the long finish, showing a
hint of cream soda. Drink now. 34 cases made.—M.W.
91 Dragonette Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon
of Santa Barbara 2018 $ 35 Distinctive, savory and
sleek, with a note of saline and touch of chive blossom to
the pear, citrus and apple flavors. Toasted herb accents lin-
ger on the long finish. Drink now. 1,140 cases made.—M.W.
91 Dragonette Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon
of Santa Barbara Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard 2017 $ 50
A supple, juicy texture and crisp acidity lend focus to the
tangerine, peach and lemon curd flavors, with hints of
spice and oolong tea lingering on the finish. Drink now.
125 cases made.—M.W.91 Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Napa Valley
2018 $ 24 See Smart Buys, page 95.
91 Phifer Pavitt Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Date Night 2018 $ 34 Succulent, with notes of bees-
wax, honeysuckle and lanolin adding some intrigue to the
peach and citrus flavors. A hint of nutmeg emerges on
the long finish. Drink now. 1,241 cases made.—M.W.
90 Dragonette Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon
of Santa Barbara Grassini Family Vineyard 2017
$ 50 Notes of fragrant white flowers and orange zest are
centralized around firm acidity, with accents of nutmeg,
lime and peach. Shows wonderful tension, finishing fresh.
Drink now. 250 cases made.—M.W.
90 Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek
Valley 2018 $ 20 Embraces grassy, herbal notes of dried
lemon verbena and lemongrass that mingle well with
succulent lemon, peach and dried apricot flavors on a
medium-bodied, juicy frame, showing terrific harmony on
the finish. Drink now. 15,000 cases made.—M.W.
90 Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley
Alder Grove Vineyard 2018 $ 27 Stylish, with a
pretty floral detail weaving in and out, adding a honey-
suckle overtone to the succulent peach, apricot and lemon
zest flavors, set on a smooth frame. Spicy accents show
on the juicy finish. Drink now. 580 cases made.—M.W.
90 Rudd Sauvignon Blanc Mount Veeder 2016
$ 80 Shows an appealing sense of style and restraint,
featuring citrus and pear flavors, accented by notes of
lanolin and beeswax. Offers spice and dried floral details
and a savory, saline thread, with crisp acidity. Drink now.
549 cases made.—M.W.
90 Rudd Sauvignon Blanc Mount Veeder Cross-
roads 2018 $ 35 Succulent, with vibrant, expressive
Meyer lemon, ruby grapefruit and orange zest flavors.
Shows a touch of freshly grated ginger on a crisp, mouth-
watering frame. Drink now. 906 cases made.—M.W.
89 Santa Barbara Winery Sauvignon Blanc
Santa Ynez Valley 2018 $ 18 Vivid and precise, with
lime sherbet and lemongrass flavors that are crisp and for-
ward. Lingering notes of fresh ginger and citrus zest show
on the finish. Drink now. 4,000 cases made.—M.W.
89 Stags’ Leap Winery Sauvignon Blanc Napa
Valley 2018 $ 30 Fresh notes of lemongrass and lemon
verbena add an aromatic edge to the pear and citrus
flavors at the core, set on a juicy, mouthwatering frame.
Drink now. 5,639 cases made.—M.W.
88 Hall Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2018 $ 28
Asian pear, lime sherbet and tangerine flavors reveal notes
of fresh ginger and lemon verbena that intensify on the
finish. Drink now. 13,680 cases made.—M.W.
87 Dry Creek Fumé Blanc Sonoma County 2018
$ 16 Lemon-lime, ruby grapefruit and peach notes are
direct, fresh and juicy, set on a medium frame, with a hint
of dried thyme on the finish. Drink now. 29,000 cases
made.—M.W.
87 Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc California 2018
$ 14 Light and refreshing, offering a pretty mix of lem-
ongrass, pear and citrus flavors, set on a silky frame. Drink
now. 78,000 cases made.—M.W.CALIFORNIA
Zinfandel & Blends94 Bucklin Ancient Field Blend Old Hill Ranch
Sonoma Valley 2016 $ 36 See Highly Recommended,
page 93.
94 Seghesio Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Cortina
2017 $ 40 A wine that captures what’s best about Dry
Creek, offering loads of briary raspberry and cherry flavors,
with toasty sage, cinnamon and pepper accents that finish
on a dynamic note. Drink now through 2029. 1,417 cases
made.—T.F.New Releases: California112 WINE SPECTATOR • MAY 31, 2020WS053120_buying.indd 112 3/18/20 9:57 PM