Monique Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2018

The Story

The Monique Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2018 is a Trader Joe’s $6.99 exclusive sourced from vineyards in the Central Coast AVA of California. This is a wine made for Trader Joe’s by the Central Coast Wine Warehouse which is part of  Thornhill Companies. The Central Coast Wine Warehouse has been working with Trader Joe’s for years.

The Central Coast Wine Warehouse is a winery that produces retail brand wines, store brands, contract wines, you name it and they also own some of the most acclaimed vineyards in the Central Coast AVA. They are a 5th generation wine family with roots going back to the late 1800s. When we first started Cheapwinefinder.com it seemed that every other wine that Trader Joe’s sold was either made by Bronco wines (2 Buck Chuck) or the Central Coast Wine Warehouse.

Here is a link to a review for another Central Coast Wine Warehouse/Trader Joe’s wine, the Flower Keeper Sauvignon Blanc from the Monterey AVA. Which was another well-priced Sauv Blanc from the Central Coast AVA. The Central Coast isn’t one of the more well-known Sauvignon Blanc growing regions. Bordeaux, the Loire Valley in France, and New Zealand get more press than the Central Coast, but those locations can’t compete when it comes to price.

For me, Sauvignon Blanc is a grape that is best when produced with only the winemaking techniques that are absolutely necessary. In Bordeaux, they make Sauvignon Blanc wines (blended with a little Semillon) that can be aged for 25 years. I don’t get to drink those wines, but I can get young, bright, fresh Sauv Blanc wines that are Spring-time in a bottle, that is priced very well.

And that is what the Monique Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2018 should be all about, beautiful aromas and crisp, bright citrus and fruit flavors, nothing complicated, but nothing not to like either. Like most Trader Joe’s wine, there is no technical information concerning the farming of the grapes or the making of the wine. But after all these years of Central Coast Wine Warehouse producing contract wine for Trader Joe’s I know to expect a wine that drinks above its price point. The alcohol content is 13.9%.

Monique Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Tasting Notes

The color is a clean, clear, lemon yellow. The nose is lemon, lime, green apple, orange blossom honey, soft spice, canned peaches, and lightly floral. The nose isn’t quite as seductive as Loire Valley Sauv Blanc or as bold as New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has a nice rounded mouth-feel and a solid mix of flavors. The acidity isn’t as bright as some Sauv Blancs which makes the Monique Cellars seem slightly subdued. It tastes of grapefruit, pear, peach, and ripe apple.

The mid-palate brings a salty sensation, along with sleek guava, a hint of banana, and a late slap of tangerine. The finish is soft but does stick around for some time.

The Summary

• The Monique Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2018 is a wine that grows on you. It is not as big and bold a New Zealand Sauv Blanc and at first sip may seem somewhat lessor. But after a few sips, you start to appreciate it for its own virtues.
• This is a solid, very drinkable Sauv Blanc that has a bit of personality and sells for a penny less than seven dollars. That is nothing to take lightly.
• Just the White wine for watching Netflix, plus you can grab it at Trader Joe’s while getting other needed supplies. In these days of lock-down getting your wine at a grocery store makes your shopping a little easier.
• Try to make a wine shop run, they need your business in these strange times.