Black Box Tart Sauv

Black Box Tart Sauv comes in a 500ml format and is labeled from Massachusetts under the Esplanda name. The "Tart Sauv" name points to Sauvignon Blanc, though the catalog category lists Chardonnay, so check the label for the grape before pairing around it. The tasting notes below describe what each style usually delivers, not a measured profile of this bottling. If it is Sauvignon Blanc, expect a dry, light-to-medium-bodied white with high acidity, which is what "tart" suggests. Typical aromas are citrus (lime, grapefruit), green apple, and sometimes a cut-grass or herbal edge. There is no tannin in a white of this type, oak is usually absent, and the finish tends to be short to medium and crisp. If it turns out to be Chardonnay, expect a rounder, fuller body with orchard and stone fruit, and oak influence only if the label mentions barrel fermentation or aging. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C), which keeps the acidity bright. It needs no decanting. A standard white-wine glass with a medium bowl, or a slightly narrower Sauvignon Blanc glass, concentrates the citrus and herbal aromas without letting them fade. Tart, high-acid whites suit oysters and other shellfish, goat cheese salads, grilled white fish with lemon, and chicken with fresh herbs. They also handle vinegar-dressed dishes and green vegetables such as asparagus better than softer wines do. For a fuller Chardonnay style, roast chicken, cream sauces, and corn dishes are better matches. This is a drink-now wine. Most Sauvignon Blanc and unoaked white wines taste best within a year or two of release, and a small 500ml pour-size bottle is easy to finish soon after opening. If any is left, reseal it and keep it refrigerated for a day or two.