2018 Santa Maria Valley Sauvignon Blanc - Presqu’ile Winery

Lime skin, freshly cut grass, bright gooseberry. Granny Smith apple, sea breeze, tart kiwi. Citrus blossom and black currant bud, muddled mint and canned asparagus. Green mango and grapefruit peel highlight an intense and highly nervy attack, releasing oodles of bound up energy in a nuanced and aromatic display. Profoundly pyrazinic with pretty yet pungent floral tones adding layers of additional depth. Surprisingly contemplative and terrifically refreshing, exhibiting just a dash of clean mineral salinity within its zingy and medium bodied frame. This 2018 Santa Maria Valley Sauvignon Blanc by Presqu'ile Winery is a captivating and complex cool climate creation from Santa Barbara.

The Presqu'ile estate vineyard occupies a unique section of the western corner of Santa Barbara County's Santa Maria Valley, which happens to be one of the coldest and most coastal growing zones in the entire region. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have proven to grow remarkably well here, but this area also has exceptional yet largely unrealized potential as a home for a wide range of other cool climate grape varieties. This bottling, crafted by Presqu'ile Winery using 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from their estate vineyard, proves that Sauvignon Blanc in particular deserves more attention in Santa Barbara. This wine is wonderfully energetic and focused, with an intensity reminiscent of some of the best varietal examples from the Loire except painted with slightly broader brush strokes. This isn't afraid to embrace typicity and distinctly expresses a unique sense of place, and is certainly one of the most impressive California Sauvignon Blancs we've encountered recently.