Honig Sauvignon Blanc 2019
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Wong
Wilfred -
Suckling
James
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Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Honig Sauvignon Blanc is bright, and fresh. The flavors and aromas are reminiscent of peaches, lemon curd, white grapefruit, and passion fruit with perfectly balanced notes of citrus and stone fruit. The fullness of the midpalate is complemented by a crisp, lengthy finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: There is always something special when I can talk about a family dream and how it has translated into one of the beautiful and heartwarming stories in the wine world. I was there when the Honig family produced their first wines in the 1980s. In a tribute to the legacy of patriarch Louis Honig, "the family produced a few hundred cases of Louis Honig Sauvignon Blanc in the vineyard's old tractor bar" (source: Honig website). Over the years, I have spent quality time with the family—Michael Honig, Stephanie Honig, Regina Weinstein, and Stephen Honig, as well as Winemaker Kristen Belair. The Honig story is a feelgood story of lovely family vibes and to friendships of those of us in the business. The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is an outstanding effort. TASTING NOTES: This wine is true-to-type. Its stylish aromas and flavors of ripe melon, dried herbs, and tart apples solidify its place among the state's top efforts of this grape variety. Pair it with a dozen or two raw oysters and a conversation. (Tasted: February 25, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
A fruity, medium-bodied white with aromas and flavors of lemon grass, guava, lime zest and flint. Lime cordial, too. Crisp and delicious. Drink now.
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The Honig Family purchased their 68-acre vineyard in Rutherford in 1964, and sold the grapes they grew to neighboring wineries. In 1980, the family tried their hand at producing their own Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, to great acclaim. Michael Honig took over management of the winery in 1984, at the age of 22. In 1987, the Honigs made their first Cabernet Sauvignon. Under Michael, Honig's direction, the winery has grown from a small "garage winery" to a 25 person operation. Using solar power and sustainable farming methods, winemaker, Kristin Belair focuses on two varietals: Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. This focus allows her to produce handcrafted wines that are a true expression of the vineyard.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Reaching up California's coastline and into its valleys north of San Francisco, the North Coast AVA includes six counties: Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake. While Napa and Sonoma enjoy most of the glory, the rest produce no shortage of quality wines in an intriguing and diverse range of styles.
Climbing up the state's rugged coastline, the chilly Marin County, just above the City and most of Sonoma County, as well as Mendocino County on the far north end of the North Coast successfully grow cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and in some spots, Riesling. Inland Lake County, on the other hand, is considerably warmer, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc produce some impressive wines with affordable price tags.