Best Sauvignon Blancs Under $15

There's a Plethora of Sauvignon Blanc Out There

This is one category with an abundance of choices, a deluge of Sauvignon Blanc is out there to taste. Not only are there good values in the $10 to $15 price range, there are even worthy, well-made Sauvignon Blanc wines in the $8 to $10 range. How can that be?

Well, practically every winery in California has a version to offer, seemingly every bottle of wine from New Zealand has Sauvignon Blanc written on it, and just about every wine-producing country in the world grows Sauvignon Blanc and uses it as a single varietal or blended with something, usually Sèmillon or Chardonnay. Typically, these wines are crisp, taut, and flavorful and abound with sharp acidity that makes them excellent partners with food.

They are renowned for their herbaceous, mineral, and grassy aromas and flavors. For some reason the term, cat pee, is sometimes associated with this white wine, and it's considered a good thing. The grape grows almost everywhere, is prodigious, and delivers a healthy profit margin to producers, something not always true with other wine varietals. Note that a poorly made Sauvignon Blanc may carry an unappealing vegetal taste that is more reminiscent of boiled artichokes than wine. However, on the positive side, the majority will bring a zingy smile out.

Where to Find the Best Values

As stated, Sauvignon Blanc is everywhere, with many excellent and diverse versions available in the U.S. for less than $15. Naturally you can find some above that price, but it's not necessary to pay more to find a bottle to make you happy. One proviso, however, is that a French version from the Loire Valley, a Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé, will be difficult to find below the $15 bar.

Likewise for most of the excellent Sauvignon Blancs that come from South Africa, but a Mulderbosch is usually worth the extra price of admission. I'm sure deals can be found for wines from these regions, but for the sake of this brief review and in want of direction, we will focus on those Best Sauvignon Blanc wines from California and New Zealand that are widely available in many grocery, liquor, and wine stores. The key is to look for producers who know what they're doing and have several different varietals in their wine portfolio. The following wines are from wineries that consistently put out some of the best Sauvignon Blanc wines under $15.

California Sauvignon Blanc

In the Golden State, Sauvignon Blanc is a major white grape that runs second in production volume only to Chardonnay. Its general profile for this white wine is a lemon-lime snap of the fingers with herbal, mineral notes, and occasionally some buttery textures. Note also that California's so-called; Fumé Blanc is actually Sauvignon Blanc that has some neutral oak aging that may impart toastiness or butteriness.

• Beaulieu Vineyard

Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2003. Beaulieu's Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is always welcome with its citrus, apples, herbs, honey, and chalky aromas and flavors. The historic winery also makes an aromatic Coastal Estate Sauvignon Blanc that is priced slightly lower and is worthy of consideration. Price: $13

• Beringer Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2004. Misses are rare at Napa Valley's Beringer and their Sauvignon Blancs are usually a good acid test for other wineries. Their appealing wines zing with grapefruit, lemon, and melon fruit and bright acid. Price: $12

• Chateau St. Jean

Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County, 2004. Good price for this Fumé Blanc from one of California's premier wineries. Floral, herbal, lots of citrus, melon, and fig fruit. Price: $10

• Ferrari-Carano

Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County, 2004. This is a northern Dry Creek winery that produces a bright Fumé Blanc with tropical fruit, citrus, lovely floral bouquet, grass notes, and a slight creamy texture. Price: $15

• Handley Cellars

Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2005. A bright and well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc with apricot, citrus, apple-pear fruit with some cut grass notes. Price: $12

• Husch Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc, Anderson Valley, 2004. Husch Vineyards are up in Mendocino County and have been making award-winning Sauvignon Blanc since 1980. They age their wines in both stainless steel tanks and oak, which gives it a creamy toast. Bright and racy with citrus, melon, cut grass, and a fruity crisp finish. Price: $12

• Kenwood Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, 2004. Reliable and consistent, Kenwood produces a zesty citrus Sauvignon Blanc in its Sonoma Series that is popular and affordable year in and year out. Price: $12

• Murphy-Goode Estate Winery

Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County, 2004. When in doubt, I'll use a Murphy-Goode Fumé Blanc as a backup plan. They have several versions from Sonoma County, Alexander Valley, and a Reserve that stand out for their tropical, citrus, and melon fruit aromas and flavors. The palate is muted with honeysuckle, cut grass, and some minerals. Bright and lingering finish. Price: $15

New Zealand

Sauvignon Blanc is the poster child for New Zealand's wine industry. They are vibrant and taste closer to a Sancerre from France rather than a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand wines are taut, razor-sharp, and defined by green limes, green melons, green vegetables, and herbs. The kicker that creates dynamite are the exotic tropical fruits—the mango, the passionfruit, the guava, the pineapple, and what would New Zealand be without the kiwi. Look for the ones from Marlborough or Hawkes Bay.

• Kim Crawford Wines

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2004. Kim Crawford produces delicious Sauvignon Blanc in classic New Zealand style. Price: $15

• Matua Valley Wines

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2004. Matua Valley Wines is credited with being the first producer of Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand. First isn't always best, but fortunately, in Matua's case, they are always in the running. I never hesitate to pick up a bottle of their Marlborough with its lip-tingling lime, passion-fruit, pineapple, and slight mineral notes. They have partnered with the Beringer Blass Wine Estates to expand their distribution worldwide and making them easier to find. Price: $10

• Sacred Hill Wines

Sauvignon Blanc, Whitecliff Estates, 2004. Well-made and easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc from Sacred Hill's Whitecliff Estates vineyards. These are affordable and accessible wines. You can expect zingy and aromatic Sauvignon Blancs with citrus, stone-fruit, minerals, and green type vegetables. Price: $12

• Villa Maria Estate

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough Private Bin, 2005. Villa Maria is a family-owned winery and is one of New Zealand's earliest, established in 1961. The Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc is from Villa Maria's affordably priced line but still delivers a wine with great aroma, flavors, and balance. Made from several vineyards throughout Marlborough, the lively white pops with tropical fruit, lime, and bright acidity that help frame New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc. Price: $15

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