Duckhorn 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc is a classic, am I right? And when you’re craving it, there’s just nothing else like it. Distinct in both flavor profile and texture due to the use of both the blanc and musqué clones, the winemaking team also utilizes just a small percentage of oak in their aging program to help lift the flavor and mouthfeel.

About the Wine: Duckhorn 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is made from 82% Sauvignon Blanc grapes and 18% Semillon grapes harvested from Napa Valley. The wine aged in combination new French oak barrels (10%) and stainless steel (90%), sur lie for 5 months.

13.5% ABV

Flavor Profile: Pop the cork of the Duckhorn 2017 Sauvignon Blanc and breathe in classic California Sauv Blanc aromas of wet grass, chamomile, daisies and white tea. This Sauvignon Blanc is quite clear on the pour with just a subtle tint of pale yellow. In the glass, the wine presents just as delicately with tiny effervescent bubbles throughout. Initial aromas are of a beautiful floral perfume, soft fruits like persimmons, white peaches, and white nectarines. Swirl and bring forward a bit of sea salt salinity, a soft, almost indecipherable scent of tropical fruits.

The palate of the Duckhorn 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is absolutely dry. Dry, dry, dry. It has a soft outline of texture around the perimeter of the tongue. There’s a sneaky acidity that works without singing too loudly, until its solo at the very end. Dominant flavors are of grass, green herbs like parsley or coriander, lime leaf, underripe persimmon, and a hint of lychee. The finish is a little spice-filled with that lingering tingle of acidity all over the palate.

At the end of the day, however, the flavors are so delicate and so subtle, that the experience of the Duckhorn 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is truly all about the mouthfeel.

Food Pairing: I paired the Duckhorn 2017 Sauvignon Blanc with grilled swordfish, coconut rice, pineapple-mango salsa, and spiced slivered almonds. This was absolutely a perfect pairing. The light, freshness of the wine did well to cut through the meatiness of the swordfish. But my absolute favorite element was the spice-factor in the salsa, which made the fruit somewhat shy components in the Sauvignon Blanc come just far enough closer to the forefront to really round out the food and wine pairing as a whole.

More Info: I purchased the Duckhorn 2017 Sauvignon Blanc at Whole Foods. Price: $30. For more information about Duckhorn Vineyards, their wine, and to purchase wine directly, please visit the Duckhorn Vineyards website.

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