Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County and is listed at 14.1% alcohol. That is fuller than the 12.5 to 13 percent common for Loire or New Zealand examples. It points to a riper, rounder style of the grape, and the site is a cool, fog-influenced part of California. Expect the grape's usual citrus and green-fruit lift (grapefruit, lime, green apple, perhaps a little passion fruit or herbal edge). The warmer-climate ripeness usually adds a more generous mid-palate, closer to white peach or melon. Styles like this typically carry medium to full body, no real tannin, and bright acidity that keeps the finish clean despite the alcohol. Oak treatment varies from one Sauvignon Blanc to the next, and the details here don't specify it, so ask before assuming any barrel influence. At the table, the acidity and herbal streak suit goat cheese, whether in a salad, baked on toast, or crumbled over roasted beets. The wine also works with shellfish such as grilled prawns, steamed mussels or crab, and with fresh herbs (dill, tarragon, basil, chervil) in sauces or pestos. Green vegetables that tend to clash with other wines, like asparagus, artichokes and zucchini, usually sit comfortably next to Sauvignon Blanc. Its extra body also holds up to roast chicken with lemon, pan-seared white fish and light Thai or Vietnamese dishes. Very hot chili heat or heavy cream sauces will overwhelm it. Serve it chilled but not icy, around 8 to 10°C (46 to 50°F). Straight from a refrigerator at 4°C the citrus and herb aromas are muted, and the wine tastes sharper than it should. Taking the bottle out for 15 minutes before pouring helps. Decanting isn't needed, though a few minutes of air in the glass can soften the first impression. A standard white wine glass with a moderately narrow bowl keeps the aromatics focused. A larger Chardonnay-style glass can suit a fuller-bodied bottle, if the wine feels tight. This is generally a wine to drink within a few years of release, while the fruit is bright and the acidity is crisp. Some Sauvignon Blanc of this weight can develop honeyed, nutty notes with extra bottle age, but the freshness is the main draw here, and there's no reason to cellar it on speculation.