Illumination Sauvignon Blanc

Tropical fruit, fresh cut grass.

Subtle tropical fruit, fresh cut garden.

This was serviceable. I expected a little more from Quintessa. First time trying this. It presents the typical SB signature, without much else.

Sweet.

Winemaker Rebecca Wineburg has crafted a stunning blend of 44% Sauvignon Musque and 47% Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Semillon. The resultant wine is one of the most compelling Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley which I have tasted in the past year and follows the exceedingly long line of great Illumination bottlings. This has a simply luxurious texture and mouthfeel that yeilds tropical fruit flavors which connect with a wonderful tension. This gorgeous wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2026- 94

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee and this was a special treat as not only was Weston from Montagu Wines in attendance, but Jason Moore, owner and winemaker for Modus Operandi Wines out of Napa. Blind format as always. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert.

Every part of me, and most everyone else in the room, called this New Zealand SB. Never had a SB with so much grass and jalapeño pepper on the nose. More grapefruit rind came in to play later and it had a typical SB finish with acidic/stone driven notes, but what a nose!

Ohhhhh hellllloooooo

Exotic, tropical, melon and gooseberry. Hints of cotton candy oak.

Multiple different fermentation vessels. Big and complex.

2015 vintage. Juicy, ripe, profound with great acidity. Hard to find a better Napa Sauvignon Blanc. Delicious.