I’ve been neglecting a post on crisp summer Whites. After a few months of trying domestic and international Sauvignon Blanc, I finally have some top picks. Summer is here in full force and this is the perfect time of year for crisp white wines. Many of these wines are easy to find at local grocery stores as well as Costco.
Here are my top Sauvignon Blancs for under 20 dollars:
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2012 Chateau St. Michelle 'Horse Heaven' Vineyard- Pale color with lemon-lime and cantaloupe on the nose. Palate has minerals with green apple, lemon rind, and cantaloupe. Very nice. -89

2012 Michael David Sauvignon Blanc- Ripe grapefruit and some light cinnamon spice with on the nose. Palate has grapefruit, orange zest, pear in this slightly sweet interplay with sour fruits. Refreshing and drink now. -88

2012 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc- This is one of my favorites, year after year. Lemongrass and grapefruit on the nose. Palate has bright minerals with grapefruit, pear, slate and minerals. Bright and refreshing. Drink now.-90

2012 Simi Winery Sauvignon Blanc- Sonoma county fruit. Very pale color with light nose of lemons, cut grass and pear. Palate has light fruit flavors of pear, red delicious apple and minerals. Simplistic but a good value. Drink now. -87

2012 Whitehall Lane Sauvignon Blanc- Somewhat muted nose with light orange and grapefruit. Palate is bright with good minerality along pear, green papaya and cantaloupe. Drink now. -89

2012 Robert Mondavi Winery Fume Blanc- Pale color with oak, grapefruit and melon notes. Palate has good acidity with pear, gooseberry and grapefruit flavors. Very solid. Drink now.-89

2011 Chalk Hill Estate Sauvignon Blanc- Light oak and grapefruit with cut grass on the nose. Palate is bright with starfruit, green papaya, gooseberry and ruby red grapefruit. I like the smoothness. Drink now. -90

2013 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc- This is one of my perennial favorites out of New Zealand. Ripe grapefruit and cut grass on the nose. Palate has lemon, grapefruit and white peach flavors with minerals. Delicious. Drink now. -91

2012 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc- Lemongrass and grapefruit on the nose. Tangy palate with gooseberry, white peach, pear and lemons rind. Delicious. Drink now. -91

2013 Nobillo Sauvignon Blanc- This has an herbal nose with grapefruit and dried herbs on the palate. Simplistic but very tasty. Great value. Drink now. -87

2011 Tablelands 'Southdown Vineyard' Sauvignon Blanc- This New Zealand wine has lemongrass and grapefruit on the nose. Palate has nice balance but is lacking some richness. Gooseberry, lemon peel and white peach. Solid effort. Drink now. -89

2013 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc- Lots of citrus fruit on the nose. Palate is bright with gooseberry, grapefruit and lemon. Slightly unbalanced but tasty. Drink now. -90