Value Alert: 2007 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

As is being discussed in this thread on the Wine Spectator Forums, the 2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc received 96 points in a recent Wine Spectator Insider (subscription required). At a release price of $29 and 3,880 cases produced, this may be one you'll want to consider as part of your wine shopping over the next couple of months.

Sauvignon Blanc is a wine I always associate with tasting in Napa for some reason. For me, it's been a variety that I always taste and think "Hmm. Tasty white wine. Where's the Cab?" However, I've grown to appreciate it more over time. We've especially enjoyed the always delicious, readily available, and relatively affordable Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc.

James Laube, Wine Spectator's lead taster of California wines, called this wine the best Sauvignon Blanc he's ever had from anywhere in a recent blog entry (subscription to Wine Spectator required). That's high praise, especially considering the great Sauvignon Blancs that come out of France and New Zealand. It should be noted that MaryAnn Worobiec actually assigned the 96 rating- Laube just backed it up with his additional praise.

It's interesting to contrast this with Gary Vaynerchuk's comments that all the Sauvignon Blanc in California should be torn up, evidently preferring the way this grape is produced in other countries. He also notes that, in his opinion, more people will naturally gravitate to Sauvignon Blanc than Chardonnay (America's current "queen" of wines, to Cabernet Sauvignon as the king). I tend to agree with this given Sauvignon Blanc's approachable tropical and grapefruit flavors. It's downright tasty stuff.

I hear that Upper Falls Liquors in Newton, MA *may* have some of this wine coming in. Give them a call or drop them an E-mail if you're local and would like to get your hands on this wine.

Further reading:

• If this one is a little more than you'd like to spend, try this sub-$10 domestic Riesling. Also a great value.
• This readily available and inexpensive New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc just might be the perfect warm weather party wine.

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Question of the Day: Have you seen the 2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc in stores? Have you tried this wine or prior vintages of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc? If so, please leave a comment and let us know about it.