After writing the 5 Minute Guide to Sauvignon Blanc last week I went on a little tour of a few of the Sauvignon Blancs now available. I taste wines before selecting them for the shop, but tasting and re-tasting when possible is a good way to see how the wines are changing. Over the next few days are five Sauvignon Blanc reviews specifically from France.
Since wine goes so well with family, friends, and food I like to mix and match occasionally while tasting wine. I always taste just the wine for a while before adding anything else so that I get a proper uninfluenced look at the wine, then add food, family, or friends.
Chateau Picque Cailloux 2010
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
AOC: Pessac – Léognon
Grapes: 60% Sauvignon Blanc 40% Semillon
Slightly hazy with moderate to low intensity golden-yellow color, aromas of lemon, popcorn, crushed rock, white pepper and flowers, dry with a light to medium body.
A focused explosion of Lemon, lime, fig, on the attack moving into crushed rock, melon and green pepper in the mid palate with a hint of anise, Thai basil mineral and smoke qualities on the finish.
This wine is light and refreshing with good focus and a long refreshing finish.
Towards the end of the tasting I did pair this wine with smoked Salmon. This pairing brought out more of the briny mineral qualities as well as emphasizing the smokey finish. While this pairing was nice, oysters or a light white fish would have been better. The wine was a bit delicate for how strong the smoked salmon was.
Roger and Didier Raimbault 2012
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
AOC: Sancerre
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Clear and pale yellow in the glass light bodied on the palate with moderate intensity of aromas and flavor, very dry and crisp.
A refreshing hit of citrus and rocky minerality up front and through the mid palate with mineral and herb finish.
Nicely balanced and light.
Pair with a glass and some sunshine or a light fresh Chèvre.