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The Photograph North Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is sourced from vineyards in the Sonoma and Napa AVAs, the list price is around $13, but I found it on sale at Target for $8.99. It was a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy in 2023 and received 92 points.
This brand from Vintage Wine Estates offers 34 different wine brands including Owen Roe, Qupe, Tamarack Cellars, and Layer Cake among others. Kunde Estates “cellared and bottled” this Sauvignon Blanc and I think their winemaker was responsible for the wine. While Vintage Wine Estate is sown on the back label the Photograph North Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is not mentioned on their website.
Most Sauvignon Blanc wines are made in the same general manner. While they can ferment the grapes at different temperatures and use different yeast strains, these wines are not heavily manipulated. They seldom have an oak barrel aging or aging of extended length. These are wines that are an expression of the grapes. While there are no technical notes this is probably a wine fermented in stainless steel vats. If they had unique production they would have mentioned it.
Sonoma and Napa as vineyard locations are interesting since both places are known for Chardonnay. In the 1960s when nobody would buy Sauvignon wine Robert Mondavi changed the name to Fume Blanc and it was a huge hit. So much so that they were able to go back to the original name, but some of the producers still around from the 1960s still use the Fume Blanc name. The alcohol content is 13%.
The Photograph North Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Tasting Notes
The color is wheat yellow with a golden glow. The nose is far more subtle than the New Zealand or Loire Valley Sauv Blanc wines, there is melon, peach, pear, honey, spice, and tropical fruit. The Photograph North Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2021 has excellent acidity and subtle, rich flavors. Subtle is not a word often used for Sauvignon Blanc.
This Sauvignon Blanc tastes like a stew of melon, green apple, ripe peach, and interesting spice. The mid-palate adds a little tangerine, tropical fruit, and a salty/nutty sensation. This is a well-balanced wine.
The Summary
- The Photograph North Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is really good, it is not trying to be New Zealand or French Sauvignon, it is very California.
- It is a steal at the $9 sale price and still a bargain at full price, this Sauvignon Blanc is worth a try.
