Hall Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

The weather is getting warmer, meals getting lighter, and it’s time to start talking abundantly about white wines again. Remember my story from yesterday about how I found a secret little wine shop disguised as a liquor store? Well, I went back. How could I not? Traveling, often solo, that aisle dedicated to the art of the half-bottle is like a treasure trove. And it was here that I found Hall Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc — a perfect spring time wine. (It even has a bunny on the label…)

About the Wine: Hall Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes harvested from Hardester Ranch (54%), T Bar T Ranch (3%), and Vineyard Partners (43%) — all located in Napa Valley.

The wine was aged in 100% stainless steel.

14.1% ABV

Winemaker: Steve Levee

Flavor Profile: In the glass, Hall Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc is just off-clear — like when you bite into an apple and it has just that faintest tint of yellow amongst all the white. The nose is filled with springtime aromatics: kiwi fruit, banana peel, white nectarines, green-yellow grass beginning to fade in the sun. And if you stick your nose way in there, you’ll get the pleasant surprise of a salted caramel toffee.

On the palate, the Sauvignon Blanc enters as clean and clear as water. The acid, subtle at first, slowly rises to a good medium level and maintains that level consistently through to the finish. Let the wine settle on your tongue. There’s a background texture that’s nearly indecipherable — something that gives this light and lively white wine the slightest bit of substance, almost sturdiness. But as quickly as you think it, it fades away. I encourage you to play with it, try to catch it. (It’s a bit like the [white] rabbit hopping away.)

The flavors in here are dangerously delicious — especially when you come to realize that secretive texture is an almost-creaminess. The best way I can describe this decadence is a bit like an essence of a greek yogurt parfait (essence because it’s not that thick nor that creamy). Instead of the tartness (as you’d get in real greek yogurt), you have that leveled acidity. Topping the yogurt is a delicious fruit salad of ripe pineapple, papaya, kiwi fruit, drizzled with a bit of raw honey, gently crumbed with cashew nut.

But in wine form.

Food Pairing: This is a fun wine — fun to drink and fun to figure out. And, much like the Miner Family Wines Viognier review from earlier this week, I would highly recommend this wine for picnic fare (or Easter lunch).

I enjoyed Hall Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc with a roasted eggplant wrap with a spinach and mushroom salad. This is the kind of pairing you want with this wine. The soft texture of the eggplant enhanced that cream-like quality in the wine, while the acid of the wine perfectly cut through that same softness in the food. Inside my wrap was also a bit of cooked cabbage, which pulled out a hidden grassy aftertaste in the Sauvignon Blanc.

More Info: I purchased the half bottle of Hall Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc at a local, independent wine shop in San Francisco. (Retail: $18). For more information about Hall Wines and to purchase wines directly, please visit the Hall Wines website.

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