DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:

Grgich Hills Estate
2012 Fume Blanc Dry Sauvignon Blanc Estate Grown
(Napa Valley) $30

Grapes for this wine are from American Canyon and Carneros vineyards in the southern tip of Napa Valley, with fermentation using naturally-occurring yeasts in large French oak casks (80%) and previously-used small French oak barrels (20%). Aging on its lees is for six months in neutral barrels.

Aroma: Apricot, peach, ripe melon, guava, pear, orange, pineapple, pink grapefruit, yellow bell pepper, oak.
Palate: Grapefruit, apple, melon, citrus, lemon grass, pepper, grassy, chewy, bold, great acidity & minerality, well balanced.
Finish: Hint of grapefruit, lemon pie, passion fruit, strawberry, spice, tart, dry, crisp, well done, beautiful.

Double Gold Medal

Brander
2013 Valley Sauvignon Blanc
(Santa Ynez Valley) $32

Using 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes sourced from the Brander estate, this wine is fermented in stainless steel, with 24 hours of skin contact for additional depth, and aged entirely in stainless steel. Only 306 cases of this wine were produced.

Aroma: Melon, pear, gooseberry, lemon, citrus, floral, pepper, earthy, oak, sexy.
Palate: Apple, pineapple, peach, pear, star fruit, pink grapefruit, lemon, citrus, oak.
Finish: Fresh green apple, soft, smooth, gentle, great.

Double Gold Medal

Clendenen Family Vintners
2012 Sauvignon Blanc Stallion Vineyard
(Santa Ynez Valley) $16

Produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in the eastern part of Santa Ynez Valley. The wine was fermented in large, new Hungarian oak barrels and aged ten months in new barrels.

Aroma: Light, fruity, melon, pear, citrus, butterscotch, brown caramel, cream, buttery, vanilla, sweet red bell pepper, subtle wood, oak.
Palate: Apple, orange, big fruit, buttered toast, cream, banana leaves, oak, mineral, crisp, balanced, elegant.
Finish: Granny Smith apple, citrus, tart, sweet brown caramel, vanilla, soft, dry, clean, crisp, pleasing.

Double Gold Medal

Darioush
2013 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Sage Vineyard
(Napa Valley) $45

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown atop Mt. Veeder in a vineyard receiving consistent, moderate amounts of sun and influenced by San Pablo Bay breezes, this wine was aged six months in stainless steel (80%) and French oak (20%), with less than 500 cases produced.

Aroma: Grassy, fruity, citrus, vanilla, creamy, herbs, floral, soft oak, wood barrel, slightly smoky, elegant.
Palate: Apple, green apple, pear, peach, tropical fruit, cherry, fruity, calvados. red pepper, sweet pepper, green pepper, jalapeño, spicy, oak, well balanced, refined, a lot of finesse, perfect for food pairing.
Finish: Lemon, zest, grapefruit, apple, basil, light spice, allspice, dry, clean, lingering.

Double-Gold Medal

Six Sigma
Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Asbill Valley
(Lake County) $18

Grapes for this wine are 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown on a 12-acre plot (Michael’s Vineyard) at the entrance to the winery property with fermentation and aging in stainless steel (95%) and French oak (5%).

Aroma: Honeydew, pear, peach, guava, tropical fruit, peppery, grassy, herbal.
Palate: Melon, pears, apricot, citrus, tropical fruit, grassy, slight bell pepper, tarragon, Old World. assertive.
Finish: Passion fruit, peach, sweet citrus, toast, hay, spicy, nice, delicate, crisp, dry.

Double-Gold Medal

Modus Operandi
2012 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley) $33

Only ten barrels were made of this 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine with grapes organically grown in Rutherford, which were barrel fermented.

Aroma: Pear, pineapple, apricot, lime rind, herbal, earthy, grassy, oak.
Palate: Honeydew, melon, apple, pear, apricot, nutmeg, earthy, oak, smoke, complex.
Finish: Lemon, tart. oats, buttery, creamy, oak.

Double-Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:


Deerfield Ranch
2013 Sauvignon Blanc Peterson Vineyard
(Sonoma) $24

Grapes for this 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine (fermented and aged in stainless steel) are from a vineyard in Kenwood that has a microclimate that makes its warmer than other vineyards in the region, adding a degree of ripeness to the fruit.

Aroma: Apricot, pineapple, peach, star fruit, lemon, orange, grapefruit, citrus, honeysuckle, pecan pie, bell pepper, jalapeño, nutmeg, straw.
Palate: Grapefruit, apple, green apple, melon, lemon, citrus, unsweetened pineapple, apricot, green bell pepper, buttery, fruit forward, soft, balanced, wonderful.
Finish: Apple, orange, waffles, soft, tart, smooth.

Gold Medal

Ousterhout
2013 Sauvignon Blanc Redwood Ranch
(Alexander Valley, Sonoma) $22

Sourced from vines from which the Sauvignon Blanc grapes tend to accumulate sugar slowly, the fruit was fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and aged in stainless steel (80%) and new French oak (20%).

Aroma: Apple, green apple cider, lime, fruity, honey, vanilla, cream, ginger, mineral, charred oak.
Palate: Pear, grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, golden cherry, apricot, white peach, gooseberry, vanilla, allspice.
Finish: Apple, green apple, fruity, floral, tart, nice.

Gold Medal

Napa Cellars
2013 Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley) $14

Grapes for this 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine were sourced from vineyards in warmer areas of Napa Valley, with fermentation in sainless steel.

Aroma: Apricot, grapefruit, citrus, guava, hint of banana, tropical fruit, vanilla, slate.
Palate: Apricot, pear, peach, red apple, melon, grapefruit, tropical fruit, pineapple, passion fruit, mango, green pepper, wood, mineral notes, nice acidity, lovely smoothness.
Finish: Honey, grapefruit, tropical fruit, green grass, tannic, tart, soft, smooth.

Gold Medal

Trinchero Napa Valley
2013 Mary’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
(Calistoga/Napa) $20

Fermented entirely in stainless steel, the grapes for this wine hail from the relatively warm climate of Mary’s Vineyard in northern Napa Valley.

Aroma: Grass, melon, pear, kiwi, star fruit, orange, toasty notes, cereal, white pepper, lovely.
Palate: Green apple, pear, white grape, lemon, citrus, floral, green bell pepper, spice, mineral, Old World style, sancerre-like, oaky, woody, elegant, balanced, very smooth.
Finish: Lemon, grapefruit, light vanilla, green pepper, allspice, soft, dry, classic.

Gold Medal

Murietta's Well
Los Tesoros 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
(Livermore Valley) $35

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in vineyards with well-drained gravelly soil that have fog and cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay, the wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged on its lees.

Aroma: Apricot, apple, pear, lemon meringue pie, sweet cream, hint of honeycomb, grassy, flint, mineral.
Palate: Pear, melon, grapefruit, papaya, apple, peach, nectarine, citrus, mint, herbal, tart, mineral, oak, nice, delicate.
Finish: Grapefruit, lemon creme, citrus, sour apple, floral, oak, gentle, dry, crisp.

Gold Medal

Sonoma-Loeb
2013 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
(Sonoma) $27

For this wine Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Soda Rock Vineyard (Alexander Valley) and Chalk Ridge (Russian River Valley) were fermented in neutral oak barrels (78%) and stainless steel (22%).

Aroma: Green apple, golden apple, lemon, citrus, gooseberry, tart.
Palate: Green apple, grapefruit, honeydew, melon, lemon, citrus, green pepper, eucalyptus, rich, tart, light smoke, touch of wood, New World, balanced, full bodied.
Finish: Honey, gooseberry, slightly woody, nutty, rich, soft, gentle, dry.

Gold Medal

William Hill Estates
North Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2013
(Napa Valley) $15

This wine is produced from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown on Laguna Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley and a small amount of the Sauvignon Blanc varietal from the Lodi Region.

Aroma: Pear, passion fruit, apricot, papaya, mango, tropical fruit, lime, citrus, sweet yellow bell pepper, honey, mineral, tart, round.
Palate: Currants, cherries, citrus fruit, licorice, earthy, oak.
Finish: Honeysuckle, grapefruit, citrus, spicy, tart, gentle.

Gold Medal

Markham Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Napa Valley
(Napa Valley) $13

Made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (96%) and Semillon (4%), fermentation is in stainless steel with aging for 3-4 months in oak.

Aroma: Green apple, lemon, pineapple, slight herb, toast, earthy, barrel.
Palate: Pear, melon, pink grapefruit, white grape, peach, honey, caramel, creamy, toast, tart, green tea, woody, New World.
Finish: Spice, green grass, woody, soft.

Gold Medal

Flora Springs
Soliloquy Vineyard 2013
(Oakville, Napa Valley) $25

This wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown in Oakville, with fermentation and aging (7 months) in a combination of concrete and stainless steel tanks, oak barrels and stainless steel drums.

Aroma: Grassy, pear, white peach, pineapple, melon, oak, slate.
Palate: Green apple, pear, melon, red grapefruit, tropical fruits, gooseberry, grassy, vanilla, creamy, jalapeño, peppery, oak, balanced, nice, pleasant, elegant.
Finish: Grapefruit, tart, crisp, dry, soft, gentle.

Gold Medal

Stephen Vincent
Lake County 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
(Lake County) $13

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from vineyards near Lake Mendocino, the wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel.

Aroma: Apple, pear, honey comb, honeysuckle, chocolate truffle, floral, grassy, toasted oats, woody.
Palate: Pear, apple, apricot, orange, citrus, nutmeg, toast, well balanced.
Finish: White peach, honey, cinnamon, soft.

Gold Medal

Tudal Family Estate
2013 Carpenter Ranch Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley) $28

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in the St. Helena sub-appellation of Napa Valley, this wine was allowed long fermentation (21 days) and aged nine months in neutral French oak.

Aroma: Grassy, citrus, orange, star fruit, light lychee, vanilla, wild flowers, sauternes-like, pepper, mineral.
Palate: Melon, green grapes, peach. kiwi, apricot, tropical fruit, plantain, creamy, pine, oak, smooth, elegant.
Finish: Hint of green apple, orange, peppery, soft, dry, fresh, clean.

Gold Medal

Eric Kent
2013 Cuvée Renee Sauvignon Blanc
(Sonoma) $28

With only 449 cases produced, grapes for this wine are from Dry Stack vineyard in Bennett Valley and Fallenleaf Vineyard on the eastern side of Sonoma Mountain.

Aroma: Pear, melon, passion fruit, spicy fruit, green pepper, red bell pepper, floral, mint, caramel, smoke.
Palate: Apple, pear, melon, papaya, tropical fruit, lemon, citrus, pepper, creamy, smoky, silky, oak, smooth, balanced.
Finish: Apple, orange, orange peel, spice, wood barrel, rich, soft, gentle.

Gold Medal

Cakebread Cellars
2013 Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley) $25

Harvested at night to preserve flavor and acidity the grapes were fermented in stainless steel (82%) and older French oak (18%) and then aged five months in neutral French oak.

Aroma: Pear, green apple, citrus, grapefruit, star fruit, fruity, mineral, straw, hay, toast.
Palate: Citrus, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, passion fruit, apple, pear, fruity, honey, cinnamon, floral, herbs, grass, well integrated.
Finish: Honey, green apple, lime, hot banana pepper, spice, dry, crisp, soft.

Gold Medal

Hanna
2013 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
(Sonoma) $16

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in the winery’s four Sonoma Valley vineyards, this wine is fermented in stainless steel and also aged in stainless steel on its lees (used yeast).

Aroma: Apricot, mango, jalapeño, herbaceous.
Palate: Melon, grapefruit, citrus, gooseberry, passion fruit, pear, apricot, orange, pineapple, mango, creamy, jalapeño, tangy.
Finish: Lemon, kiwi, orange, Vienna fingers.

Gold Medal

Bluxome Street Winery
2012 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
(San Francisco) $23

From grapes grown in the Rio Linda, Restoli and LaRochelle vineyards in Russian River Valley, this wine is fermented and aged in neutral oak.

Aroma: Kiwi, apple, pear, citrus, pineapple, orange, vanilla, grassy, limestone, toasted oak, wood.
Palate: Pear, peach, apple, citrus, honey, creamy, bell pepper, green pepper, tart, toast, lovely wood.
Finish: Green apple, creamy, oak, tart, soft.

Gold Medal

Worthy Five Clones
2010 Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley) $19

Produced from five clones of Sauvignon Blanc found in a single vineyard in Yountville, this wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel barrels.

Aroma: Green apple, apricot, peach, melon, citrus, lime, lemon, hint of grapefruit, jalapeño.
Palate: Green apple, lemon, grapefruit, peach, pineapple, slightly tart, white pepper, bright, balanced fruit, round, delicate.
Finish: Grapefruit, soft, dry, mouth-watering.

Gold Medal

Heitz Cellar
2013 Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley) $18

The grapes used to make this wine are 100% certified-organic Sauvignon Blanc from the lower elevations of the winery’s Napa Valley Ink Grade Vineyard.

Aroma: Apricot, lemon, pear, peach, white peach, golden apple, white grape, kiwi, citrus.
Palate: Ripe grapefruit, pear, lemon, lemon peel, white peach, apricot, mango, orange, herbal, smoky, peaty, vibrant.
Finish: Lemon, apple, tart, soft, gentle, mellow, enjoyable.

Gold Medal

Cultivar
2013 Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley) $20

Grapes for this 100% Sauvignon Blanc come from two vineyards in St. Helena and a third in Napa, with the wine produced by stainless steel fermentation.

Aroma: Apple, lemon, dried pineapple, grassy, vanilla, cinnamon, toasted Graham cracker.
Palate: Apricot, pear, grapefruit, citrus, lime, melon, kiwi, tropical fruit, light cherry, toast, pepper, some oak.
Finish: Apple, melon, grapefruit, star fruit, tart, semi-dry.

Gold Medal

Shannon Ridge
2013 Sauvignon Blanc High Elevation Collection
(Lake County) $19

Sourced from picturesque mountain vineyards overlooking Clear Lake, the Sauvignon Blanc grapes (100%) were fermented and aged in stainless steel.

Aroma: Grapefruit, citrus, star fruit, apricot, passion fruit, mango, guava, tropical fruit, biscuits, new mown hay, oak.
Palate: Grapefruit, apricot, pineapple, melon, star fruit, lemon, lime, herbaceous, anise, fruit forward.
Finish: Apricot, star fruit, lime, spicy, dry, crisp.

Gold Medal

Oak Grove
Family Reserve 2013 California Sauvignon Blanc
(California) $8

Grapes for this wine hail from select Coastal Vineyards with fermentation in stainless steel and some barrel aging prior to release.

Aroma: Green apple, peach. citrus, grapefruit, floral, crisp.
Palate: Melon, grapefruit, apple, pear, white peach, pineapple, mango, lemongrass, tart, New World.
Finish: Mango, pineapple, tart, smooth.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:

Angeline Winery
2013 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc
(Sonoma) $16

The fruit for this wine comes from Russian River Valley - known for cool daytime temperatures and morning and evening fog. Fermentation was in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and the wine was aged without any use of oak.

Aroma: Pear, apricot, orange, subtle citrus, passion fruit, fruit cake, floral.
Palate: Melon, honeydew, apple, white grape, apricot, pear, orange, peach crisp, pineapple notes, honey.
Finish: Fruity, grape essense, vanilla, spice, tart, smooth.

Silver Medal

Bon Marché
2013 Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley) $15

Grapes for this wine were sourced from Lodi and fermented and aged in stainless steel.

Aroma: Green apple, honeydew, peach, star fruit,, lemon, citrus, grassy, floral, fresh bread.
Palate: Apple, white peach, peach, pear, apricot, tropical fruit, kiwi, pineapple, melon, hint of spice, well balanced.
Finish: Honey, white, peach, honeydew, fruity, creamy, tart, soft, smooth.

Silver Medal

Wente Family Estates
2013 Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc
(Livermore Valley) $16

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in southern Livermore Valley, this wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel.

Aroma: Apple, pear, gooseberry, lemon, lime, citrus, kiwi, peach, mango, guava, grassy, floral.
Palate: Pear, star fruit, cantaloupe, citrus, apple, orange, grapefruit, green grass, minty, tart.
Finish: Orange, gentle, lingering.

Silver Medal

Halleck Vineyard
2013 Little Sister
(Russian River Valley, Sonoma) $35

Grapes for this 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine are from the Sebastopol area, with fermentation in stainless steel tanks (80%) and neutral oak barrels (20%).

Aroma: Apple, green apple, apricot, gooseberry, star fruit, subtle lemon, lime, grapefruit, citrus, floral, slate, elegant.
Palate: Apple, grapefruit, lemon, citrus, kiwi, pineapple, pear, white peach, cherry, stone, mineral, lovely.
Finish: Peach, pineapple, spice, soft, nice.

Silver Medal

Armida Winery
2013 RRV Sauvignon Blanc
(Sonoma) $20

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes (50% Sauvignon Musque Clone) were sourced from estate vineyards in Russian River Valley, with cold fermentation to complete dryness and four months of aging in stainless steel.

Aroma: Apple, green apple, pineapple, pear, star fruit, grapefruit, green banana, asparagus, herbs, straw, slate, mineral.
Palate: Green apple, lemon, citrus, grapefruit, melon, passion fruit, light pineapple, zest, white pepper, touch of pepper, light spice, tart, refreshing.
Finish: Lemon, golden apple, tart, fading spice, slightly oaky, dry.

Silver Medal

Pedroncelli
2013 East Side Vineyards Dry Creek Valley
(Sonoma) $14

Sauvignon Blanc grapes from three different vineyards were fermented slowly in temperature–controlled stainless steel tanks and aged only in stainless steel.

Aroma: Green apple, pineapple, mango, citrus, toffee, floral, bell pepper, grass, straw, mineral, delicate.
Palate: Green apple, apple cider, peach, star fruit, grapefruit, red grapefruit, orange, lemon, citrus notes, tart, fresh green pepper, pepper, spice.
Finish: Granny Smith apple, green pepper.

Silver Medal