Matthews 2004 Red Mountain Sauvignon Blanc, Klipsun Vineyard

vicacid

My foray with Sauvignon Blanc was with Nobilo's aromatic SB. It contained little if nothing of the "classic" profile of Sauv Blanc I've read about aside from a piquant nose, strong personality, and medium mouthfeel. This Matthews Sauv Blanc on the other hand is what I assume to be more of a classic SB. A 2004, I opened it tonight after buying it almost a year ago in Washington State. At first the nose was rather lowkey, and I wondered if the bottle was spoiled or wasted. I didn't find the pungent grapefruit and tropical fruit I experienced with the younger Nobilo. What I noticed was a more refined character as I reset my expectations. This is what I would describe as a more classic French Sauv Blanc, if my interpretations of descriptions of those bottlings is to be understood. The color was a deeper straw yellow like an aged white. The nose, though not the "cat piss on gooseberry" type, was softer, more coaxing. As I swirled and sniffed, wood (oak?), honey, light molasses, and grasses started to appear. Underneath is a very slight rubbery element, more of a hint than a statement. The mouthfeel is medium, met with a good balance of acidity. I would not describe this as a crisp wine. The dry creaminess with the acidity is like a tangy oil dressing. The flavor reflected the aroma: slightly fruity, light molasses, and grass or vegetal matter, slightly bitter but not unpleasant. The finish lingers for a moderate amount of time. Overall, a very good wine, and one that inspires me to try more of a classic French SB so I can compare it.

Tasting Tags: classic fruit grass honey molasses