Lail Vineyards, Yountville, Napa Valley (California) Sauvignon Blanc 2018

 Robin Lail, founder, and owner of Lail Vineyards, has deep roots in the Napa Valley as her great-granduncle founded Inglenook Vineyards.  She launched Lail Vineyards in 1995 and hired Philippe Melka as her winemaker.  It was one of his first engagements in Napa, and he has remained at the helm of winemaking there ever since.  The Lail 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (100 percent) comes in at a steep price point, but its depth and complexity will reward those who make the leap with their pocketbooks.  The wine has an incredibly rich texture.  Notes of lemon curd, apricot, and nectarine hit every part of the mouth.  This high-toned fruit is beautifully interwoven with base notes of spice and honeysuckle.  Texture, fruit, and freshness combine here in a most winning fashion.