You’ve recently heard me say, in my Wente Riva Ranch review that anything Wente is worth a try. And it is! The 2013 Wente Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc is no exception — it’s a solid wine that upholds all the Sauvignon Blanc standards, to be enjoyed as expected. So…please enjoy…
About the Wine: Here’s an amusing anecdote that I will quote directly from the Wente site:
“Our Estate Grown Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc is named after a French emigrant, Louis Mel, who traveled to the western United States in the 1870’s seeking a place to make wines to rival the great French Crus. He found the ideal home in the Livermore Valley. Acquiring Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon cuttings from the Marquis de Lur-Saluces, owner of the famed Chateau Y’quem, he planted them in his vineyards. The Wente family acquired the Louis Mel estate in the 1930’s, where the descendants of these vines, located in the southern Livermore Valley, live in gravel and loam soils.”
So, to re-cap…
The 2013 Wente Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes harvested from the Louis Mel vineyard in Livermore Valley. The grapes were cold fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. 13% ABV
Flavor Profile: The 2014 Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc is almost as clear as water in the glass. Initial aromas are of soft, tropical fruits like peaches, nectarines, and mango. On the palate, the wine is surprisingly calm, with a good dose of minerality to break up those fruit flavors and add a bit of herbaceousness reminiscent of freshly cut grass. There’s a solid dose of acidity — not overwhelming, but enough to, again, break up those fruit flavors and add a bit of interest to the tasting. The finish is a long one, filled with a more tropical and citrus essence, like that of pineapple or passionfruit.
Food Pairing: This wine would do well sipped on its own as an aperitif. I would recommend pairing the 2014 Wente Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc with spice-filled Asian dishes, such as curries and stir fries. The wine’s classical Sauvignon Blanc attitude will add balance to such dishes as those.
More Info: This wine is good if you’re looking for a solid, reliable Sauvignon Blanc. I would come to this wine again if that’s what I was looking for. I was able to purchase the 2013 Wente Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc at Safeway (Sale Price: $10.79). If you’re looking for something that stands out from the norm, I’d highly recommend Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay — which breaks away from the Chard-pack.
For more information about this wine, and Wente’s large library of other wines, please do visit the Wente website. Personally…I’m still interested in the Counois…
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