Massican’s varietal Sauvignon Blanc is grown on 25-year-old vines. Its aromatics are on-point, suggesting green peels and lime marmalade, but it adds layers of the exotic: jasmine, a whiff of basil. There’s also a slight reductive quality that contributes an earthy, stony dimension. The palate is a wash of tart citrus fruit, but it has solid structure and substance; at 13.5% alcohol, it’s the most full-bodied of the 2018 Massican whites. The aromatics bloom again on the back palate.
It’ll act like a squeeze of lime with foods that need it — think fish, of course, but also tacos and curries, or spicy roasted pork, lamb, or shrimp. It’s also a good aperitif wine.
2018 Massican Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
13.5% abv | $30 (sample)
