Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) Sauvignon Blanc 2020

 I find the range of styles of Sauvignon Blanc from California almost as fascinating as the range of Pinot Noir styles.  Duckhorn’s style is a classic, and yet an anomaly for California.  It’s a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, and it’s produced using a combination of stainless steel (92 percent) and oak.  Both these factors help create a subtle and complex wine that for some Sauvignon Blanc lovers might not be assertive enough — but it’s just a different style and it happens to be an excellent wine.  The wine is dry and medium-bodied, with gentle aromas and flavors of smoke, melon, and lime along with a slight tang of tangerine.  The texture is richly silky, with the wine’s acidity interwoven, along with the concentrated flavors.  If you pause to notice the long finish, you realize how complete the wine is, from nose through final expression.  This is not an everyday Sauvignon Blanc, but an impressive wine that deserves its moment of attention.