R. H. Phillips Night Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Here's a wine paradox. It's easier to find a great deal on a Chardonnay than a Sauvignon Blanc, even though the latter is much less likely to see any costly oak. Vincor's R. H. Phillips Winery does an admirable job with their Night Harvest Sauvignon Blanc from Dunnigan Hills, delivering a 1.5 Liter bottle at about the 750 ml. price.

Dunnigan Hills is over the Coast Range from Calistoga, some 30 miles East. The climate is warmer during the day so harvest takes place at night.

Excellent value: $13/1.5 Liter. Closure: Plastic cork. Alcohol content: 12.5%.

Style: Vibrant, citrusy, crisp and light.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Pale golden straw. Aromas: Quince, lime, cold blossoms, sage/grass. Light-bodied and nicely tart, the citrusy herbal flavors are refreshing in the clean dry finish which also shows a slight glint of flint.

Comment: Two for the price of one plus a dollar.

Comments

[Ken]

Thank you for reviewing a Sauvignon Blanc from the States. Generally speaking, I do not drink SB from the States because it is more likely to see oak than a NZ SB and I believe that SB, in order to keep that steely edge and sharp acidity, is a wine that should not see oak. However, I will disagree with you on your statement, “It's easier to find a great deal on a Chardonnay than a Sauvignon Blanc…..” The reason that I disagree with this is because I believe that SB is a varietal used to make a plethora of good wines at reasonable prices. However, the same can not be said for Chardonnay. At under $20, it is hard to find reliable Chardonnay.

[jerry]

Thank You Ken. You are so right when it comes to truly expressive varietals.

I suppose I should have qualified my statement about Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay further. What I meant to say was that in the realm of pleasant and drinkable (albeit somewhat generic) crowd-pleasing white (party) wines, it is easier to find a great deal on a Chardonnay. I think that this is more a testament to the marketing value of the term Chardonnay than anything else.

You are right about the relative value of Sauvignon Blancs - namely that the a good one is normally a better value than an equally good Chardonnay - which is why I have typically been more a fan of Sauvignon Blancs in the $15 range than Chardonnays.

-Jerry

[Alison Healey]

I tried your wine at a resturante in Ottawa... I asked for the maker.... I enjoyed your wine! It was bitter but very sweet! It is the best wine I have tasted in my life... I would really much like to buy your wine for home use! and for entertaining! Although I went out and tried to buy it... Un fortunatly they do not sell it in the stores. They told me they only sell it in resturantes.... Which made me upset.. I was just wondering if there is any chance i could buy it or order a case?
Please let me know!! It was GREAT!!!

Ali

[Cork Dork]

Ken,I agree. SB should stay stainless. With the over-oaking that is shamefully allowed these days, consumers are deprived of what the grape's potential can become. Taste the grape or lick the barrel? It's your choice.