Ancient Peaks Winery, Santa Margarita Ranch – Paso Robles (Central Coast, California) Sauvignon Blanc 2023

 Made predominantly from the coolest blocks within the family’s estate vineyard, this 2023 also benefited from the relatively cool growing season.  The Sauvignon Blanc harvest was finally completed on October 19th.  The result is a wine that is pale straw in color and shows plenty of vibrant fruit such as melon and pear along with light ginger and flintiness.  Medium bodied, it continues with flavors of melon and lemongrass.  In the crisp but lengthy finish, I pick up more hints of ginger and apple.  Aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks, it makes a good case for unoaked Sauvignon Blanc from cooler Paso Robles sites by steering away from the tropical fruit side of the variety’s spectrum and finishing on a tangy note.  An excellent value to boot.